Generative AI could soon use more power than a country

AI requires the development of many dedicated servers, which consume a lot of energy. — AFP Relaxnews

A Dutch researcher has highlighted the enormous energy use associated with the whole new generation of tools powered by generative artificial intelligence. Eventually, if they were to be adopted widely, these tools could end up using as much energy as a whole country, or even several countries combined.

Alex de Vries, a PhD candidate at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, has published research in the journal Joule into the environmental impact of emerging technologies such as generative artificial intelligence.