What Will Power the AI Revolution? | Mark Mills

Technological revolutions consistently trigger massive new energy demands, a historical pattern now repeating with the rise of artificial intelligence. While skeptics fear an economic apocalypse, AI functions like the steam engine or the automobile by dramatically increasing productivity to counteract slowing wage growth and job creation. Powering the massive data centers required for AI by 2030 will necessitate electricity equivalent to five New York cities, rendering intermittent sources like wind and solar insufficient. Contrary to claims that increased efficiency reduces consumption, historical "energy reality" shows that making technology more efficient—such as the transition from mainframes to billions of smartphones—actually democratizes the innovation and exponentially increases total energy demand. Consequently, sustaining the AI revolution requires a commitment to reliable power sources, including fossil fuels and nuclear energy, to support continued economic progress.