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How much energy do data centers and artificial intelligence use?

ourworldindata.org

July 23, 2026

11 min read

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47/100

Summary

Data centers account for approximately 1.5% of global electricity consumption, with demand concentrated in specific regions. The rapid adoption of artificial intelligence raises concerns about its increasing energy demand and potential environmental impacts.

Key Takeaways

Data centers consume approximately 1.5% of global electricity, with AI-focused data centers accounting for about one-third of that consumption.
AI is projected to consume around 0.5% of the world's electricity by 2025, with expectations that this demand will grow significantly by 2030.
The electricity demand from AI could strain local energy supplies and increase prices, impacting communities.
AI's energy consumption may become a limiting factor for its expansion, as it could drive increases in carbon emissions and complicate decarbonization efforts.

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Community Sentiment

Mixed

Positives

Surprisingly, AI data centers consume less electricity than others — this could shift the narrative about AI's environmental impact.
The focus on AI's energy usage is drawing attention to broader data center consumption, making people rethink their assumptions about resource allocation.

Concerns

The energy consumption of AI models is alarming; longer queries can drain significantly more power, raising concerns about sustainability as AI becomes more complex.
AI hardware is far more power-hungry compared to traditional processors, which makes one question the overall efficiency and environmental impact of current AI technologies.
The debate over data center energy use feels polarized, leading to oversimplified views on a complex issue, which is frustrating for those seeking nuanced discussions.