Energy demands from AI datacentres to quadruple by 2030, says report

In the US alone, processing data is expected to consume more electricity than all other energy-intensive goods combined by 2030. Photograph: Dado Ruvić/Reuters

The global rush to AI technology will require almost as much energy by the end of this decade as Japan uses today, but only about half of the demand is likely to be met from renewable sources.

Processing data, mainly for AI, will consume more electricity in the US alone by 2030 than manufacturing steel, cement, chemicals and all other energy-intensive goods combined, according to a report from the International Energy Agency (IEA).