How AI and clean energy could determine the future global balance of power
(The post was published in Dagsavisen October 2024.)
We're at the start of a global power struggle over who will shape the future of artificial intelligence (AI). Whoever takes the lead will not only drive technological innovation, but also set the standards for the global economy in the 21st century. What is often overlooked in this debate is that AI needs clean and reliable energy - which could be the key to unlocking the sustainable technologies of the future. If we don't take advantage of this opportunity, other countries, such as China, could overtake us and take the lead on both the AI and energy fronts.
AI's enormous power needs
Data centers that power artificial intelligence are hungry for energy. A request to ChatGPT requires about five times as much electricity as a regular Google search. This puts enormous pressure on the power grid, which is already struggling to keep up with the growing demand for clean energy. While advanced AI chips are behind this growth, it could also be a driving force to accelerate the development of sustainable energy solutions.
To meet the growing need for stable and reliable electricity, we need to rethink how power is produced and distributed. The alternative is not to fall back on old solutions such as fossil fuels, which at best will only postpone the problem.
Climate change is already an ongoing threat, and weather-related power outages are a growing challenge. It is therefore important to leverage AI's need for power density to stimulate a new era of clean energy. AI and clean energy technologies must work together to accelerate development. For example, AI can help accelerate research into new materials for renewable energy and make today's energy plants more efficient. By using AI to find and develop new energy sources, such as geothermal energy, we can both cut costs and get clean energy to market faster.
Geopolitical competition - China in the driver's seat
China has already established itself as a leader in the green transition. The country has rapidly deployed large amounts of renewable energy, including solar and wind, and is investing heavily in nuclear power. In the last ten years, China has commissioned 37 nuclear power plants, while the US has added just two. In 2023, China also installed more solar panels in one year than the US has ever done combined. This sets a high standard for what it takes to be a leading player in the energy market of the future.
This development gives China an advantage in the geopolitical battle for AI. Access to reliable power is a critical factor in determining where AI infrastructure will be located in the future. Countries that invest heavily in developing clean energy today will not only have the advantage of access to needed power, but will also attract AI-based businesses and technology development.
New technological solutions
To meet the needs of AI data centers, which require continuous power supply 24/7, we need to rethink the energy sources we use. It's about building out new technologies that can deliver power at scale in a stable way. Advanced nuclear and next-generation geothermal are examples of technologies that can be adapted to AI's need for concentrated power.
These solutions offer the ability to produce significant amounts of energy in small areas, and are flexible enough to be rolled out quickly. It's also necessary to upgrade the electricity grid, which in many countries is still built to meet the needs of the 20th century.
This includes new cooling technology for data centers, high-tech transmission lines, and modern transformers that can handle large amounts of electricity efficiently. By modernizing our infrastructure, we can ensure that AI data centers have access to the power they need without compromising our climate goals.
To win the technology race of the future, we need to recognize that the battle for AI is also about energy. By investing in new solutions, upgrading infrastructure and supporting innovation, we can ensure that AI not only drives technological development, but also contributes to a greener future. It's time to lay the foundations for an energy revolution - not just for the sake of the environment, but also to ensure economic competitiveness in the 21st century.
