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AI Energy Usage Forecast: 12% of US Energy by 2028

  • Writer: Julie Ask
    Julie Ask
  • May 21
  • 1 min read

MIT Tech Review published a comprehensive study on genAI's energy usage.


Here are a few of my takeaway's:

(I also listened in on a discussion today):


  • Today, AI uses 4-5% of energy in the US. Expected to triple by 2028. We'll never use less energy for AI use cases than we do today. 

  • Like everything else digital, using genAI tools it to create video takes TONS of power vs. text, images, audio

  • Most of usage likely won't be from consumers, but from businesses. 

  • "Closed models" aren't willing to talk about use of energy - for training or usage

  • Demand for near term power will lead to using "dirty sources" of energy. Just can't bring infrastructure online fast enough. 

  • Municipalities / local utilities are and will cut deals with large tech players around construction of data centers, etc. Likely impact is on consumer prices for energy = rising.

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