AI data centers are consuming energy at roughly four times the rate that more electricity is being added to grids, setting the stage for fundamental shifts in where power is generated, where AI data centers are built, and much more efficient system, chip, and software. AI data centers are consuming energy at roughly four times the rate that more electricity is being added to grids, setting the stage for fundamental shifts in where power is generated, where AI data centers are built, and much more efficient system, chip, and software. Artificial intelligence (AI) is becoming an integral part of daily life, powering everything from digital assistants to online shopping. But behind this innovation lies a growing environmental footprint. In 2023, data centers consumed 4. electricity—a number that could triple by 2028. Today, new analysis by MIT Technology Review provides an unprecedented and comprehensive look at how much energy the AI industry uses—down to a single query—to trace where its carbon footprint stands now, and where it's headed, as AI barrels towards billions of daily users. The IEA's latest report, Key Questions on Energy and AI (April 2026), puts the updated trajectory plainly: consumption will roughly double and reach almost 500 TWh in 2025 to 950 TWh by 2030, with AI-specific infrastructure tripling. The International Energy Agency has estimated that global electricity demand from data centers could double between 2022 and 2026, fueled in part by AI adoption. “As we move from text to video to. Artificial intelligence is transforming our lives, reshaping sectors such as education, healthcare, the environment, and the workplace. However, AI's rapid development raises concerns over its ethical implications.
