Energy and AI: the power couple that could usher in a net-zero world
Source: Ibrahim Al-Zu'bi | · WORLD ECONOMIC FORUM · | January 29, 2025
As the world embraces both technological innovation and environmental responsibility, the demand for clean, sustainable energy solutions has never been more urgent. Across industries, the call for energy systems that provide maximum power, minimal emissions and energy security is growing louder.
To meet these goals, the energy sector must undergo a rapid transformation – reducing emissions while delivering reliable, scalable energy to support economic growth. Central to unlocking this potential is artificial intelligence (AI), which offers unprecedented opportunities to revolutionize the production, management and consumption of energy.
AI has the potential to be a powerful tool for transforming how energy is produced and managed. Through advanced machine learning and data analytics, AI can optimize energy consumption, improve grid resilience and enable smarter, more efficient use of resources. AI-driven energy efficiency measures and smart grid technologies could generate up to $1.3 trillion in economic value by 2030. Furthermore, AI has the potential to reduce global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 5-10% – an amount equivalent to the annual emissions of the entire European Union.
One of AI’s most promising contributions is its ability to accelerate the energy transition. By enhancing the management and integration of renewable energy sources, AI can stabilize grids, forecast energy demand and minimize waste. Predictive maintenance is another key benefit, as AI can identify potential issues in energy infrastructure before they lead to costly failures, thereby improving the reliability and sustainability of energy systems.
AI’s growing energy footprint
While AI plays a critical role in advancing the energy sector, it also presents a significant challenge: AI itself consumes vast amounts of energy. Currently, AI-powered processes require far more energy than traditional digital services. For instance, a single AI-powered query, such as a ChatGPT inquiry, consumes about 10 times the energy of a typical Google search.