AI is rapidly reshaping our energy future—but at what cost? Our host, Carter Considine, breaks it down in this episode of Ethical Bytes.
As tech companies race to develop ever more powerful AI systems, their energy consumption is skyrocketing. Data centers already consume 4.4% of U.S. electricity, and by 2028, that number could triple, equaling the power used by 22% of U.S. households. Many companies are turning away from green energy toward more reliable or readily available but polluting sources like fossil fuels, with rising costs passed on to consumers.
Yet AI could also be the key to making green energy viable. By managing variable sources like wind and solar, AI can balance power grids, reduce waste, and optimize electricity use. It can also lower overall demand through smarter manufacturing, transportation, and climate control, potentially cutting emissions by 30–50%. But this innovation comes with ethical tradeoffs.
To manage power effectively, AI systems require detailed data on when and how people use energy. This raises serious privacy and cybersecurity concerns. Algorithms might also reinforce existing inequalities by favoring high-demand areas or corporate profits over environmental justice.
The burden isn't just digital. AI relies on rare earth minerals, water for cooling, and massive infrastructure. Communities near data centers—like those in Virginia—are already facing increased pollution, water usage, and electricity bills.
Still, the potential for AI to revolutionize green energy is real. But we must ask hard questions: Who benefits? Who pays? And how do we ensure privacy, equity, and transparency as we scale? AI could help us build a cleaner future—but only if we design it with ethics at the core.
Key Topics:
• AI Tech Boom and Global Energy (00:25)
• Managing Variability in Clean Energy Production (02:40)
• Making Power Consumption More Efficient (05:34)
• Equity in the Quest for Greener Energy (08:58)
• Wrap-Up and Looking Forward (11:07)
More info, transcripts, and references can be found at ethical.fm
