Tackling the AI energy hog - from nuclear power to intelligent chips and smart data inputting

As pressure on electricity supplies grows, driven by rising use of AI, attention is turning to other ways to maximize the efficiency of AI systems and reduce their demand on our power supply. While much of the focus is on data center design and location, there are other measures that could reduce demand in the first place.

Nuclear is one of these, with various tech vendors signing deals for this carbon-free energy resource. Microsoft has signed a 20-year power purchase agreement (PPA) with Constellation Energy to supply its US data centers. This will involve re-starting the Three Mile Island Unit 1 nuclear power station and lead to an additional 835 megawatts (MW) of carbon-free energy on the grid.

Amazon has signed a similar PPA with Talen Energy to supply it with 1,920 MW of carbon-free electricity until 2042. This will support AI and other cloud technologies at Amazon’s ...