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Data centres grapple with soaring energy demand

James Eagle's avatar
James Eagle
Jun 27, 2024
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AI is having a significant impact on data centre energy consumption, pushing power demands to unprecedented levels. Take a look at the chart below. It is taken from a Goldman Sachs study that shows that AI applications could potentially increase data centre power needs by a whopping 160 per cent.

This surge is largely attributed to the energy-intensive nature of AI queries, with platforms like ChatGPT consuming nearly ten times more electricity than standard Google searches.

This exponential growth in energy consumption presents a significant challenge for the tech industry and energy providers alike. Data centres, already substantial energy consumers, are now facing the prospect of doubling their power usage by 2030, primarily due to AI-driven applications. The surge is so significant that it's compelling tech giants to reassess their energy strategies and explore new power sources.

Source: CarbonCredits.com

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