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FYI - For Your Innovation

Is There Enough Energy To Power Innovation? | The Brainstorm EP 54

Jul 31, 2024
Join Sam Korus, the Autonomous Technology and Robotics Director of Research, and Nick Grous, an Associate Portfolio Manager, as they dive into the critical energy challenges posed by today's tech innovations. They discuss how the rising energy demands of AI and electric vehicles could outstrip current production capabilities. The conversation also explores the uneasy landscape of monetizing AI, where mega-corporations invest heavily without clear returns while startups struggle to compete. Tune in for insights into the future of energy and innovation!
17:49

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Quick takeaways

  • The growing energy demands driven by AI innovations may necessitate transitioning to diverse energy sources, with nuclear power emerging as a key stable option.
  • Challenges in monetizing large-scale AI models create competitive pressures, impacting investment decisions and raising concerns about the sustainability of energy expenditures.

Deep dives

The Growing Demand for Energy

There is a significant increase in energy demand projected due to the rise of AI data centers. While McKinsey forecasts approximately 385 terawatt hours required for AI by 2030, another projection expects this number to skyrocket to 2,300 terawatt hours. Despite this large figure sounding daunting, it still represents a manageable increase in the context of global electricity generation, which has been growing at about 2.7% annually. To meet the demands posed by AI data centers, a compound annual growth rate must increase to approximately 3.4%, a figure that appears achievable, especially considering regions like China, which has seen even higher growth rates in recent years.

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