Can we talk about how much energy AI data centers REALLY use?

I was reading this report from Goldman Sachs last week and it said by 2026, AI data centers could be using as much power as the entire country of France. That number blew my mind. Some people say this is proof we need to push for better efficiency and renewable energy to keep AI going. Others argue it's a disaster and we should slow down AI development until the tech uses less power. I'm torn because I love what AI can do but that statistic is scary. Where do you land on this? Is the energy cost worth the benefits we're getting?

2 comments

2 Comments

caleb_ross121d agoMost Upvoted

Read somewhere data centers use more water than power for cooling.

the_hayden1d ago

That number from Google's 2023 environmental report stuck in my head - they used something like 4.3 billion gallons of water that year just for cooling. It reminds me of how we take everyday stuff for granted, like how my neighbor waters his lawn every single day even when it rains, or how grocery stores keep all their doors wide open in summer with the AC blasting. We just don't think about where that water goes or what it costs. It's the same with these massive data centers in places like Arizona or California where water is already scarce, they just suck it up and use it like it's infinite. Honestly feels like we're repeating the same mistake we make with everything else, using resources without caring until they run out.