Yet in the long run, despite the risks, AI’s rapacious appetite for electricity can do far more to accelerate a clean energy transition than hinder it. First of all, AI can be a powerful tool to orchestrate more flexible energy demand that matches the intermittent nature of solar and wind, increase energy efficiency, and allow grid operators to plan for more renewable energy by better predicting solar and wind output.

Technology firms are increasingly drawing the ire of environmentalists and climate-conscious lawmakers . Soaring power demand for data centers is spurring new investment in fossil fuel infrastructure, notably natural gas power plants and pipelines, feeding fears that artificial intelligence will derail global decarbonization efforts. Ten top New York Democrats, for example, urged Gov. Kathy Hochul last month to reject a controversial gas pipeline project, even as the organization responsible for managing New York’s grid warned of power shortages due to the growth of data centers and semiconductor facilities.

Technology firms are increasingly drawing the ire of environmentalists and climate-conscious lawmakers. Soaring power demand for data centers is spurring new investment in fossil fuel infrastructure, notably natural gas power plants and pipelines, feeding fears that artificial intelligence will derail global decarbonization efforts. Ten top New York Democrats, for example, urged Gov. Kathy Hochul last month to reject a controversial gas pipeline project, even as the organization responsible for managing New York’s grid warned of power shortages due to the growth of data centers and semiconductor facilities.

Yet