RAND Corporation
·
Published
January 28, 2025

AI's Power Requirements Under Exponential Growth

Center
Report
·
Artificial Intelligence
Share this article

Summary

The exponential growth of artificial intelligence (AI) systems is driving unprecedented demands for power that could overwhelm existing infrastructure. If not addressed, U.S. companies may have to relocate AI operations overseas, jeopardizing national competitiveness and security, per commentary from RAND Corporation. 

The exponential growth of artificial intelligence (AI) systems is driving unprecedented demands for power that could overwhelm existing infrastructure. If not addressed, U.S. companies may have to relocate AI operations overseas, jeopardizing national competitiveness and security, per commentary from RAND Corporation. 

The issue:  

AI systems are generating immense power requirements, potentially reaching 68 gigawatts (GW) by 2027, which exceeds the total global capacity of only 88 GW in 2022. For instance, a single AI training run could demand up to 1 GW by 2028, leading to significant infrastructure challenges.  

What they recommend:  

Experts recommend modeling future power supply against growing data center demand while exploring efficiency improvements in AI hardware to lessen power needs. They also suggest examining permitting bottlenecks and evaluating new power sources capable of supporting AI workloads.  

Go deeper:  

Recent findings indicate that U.S. data centers face extensive permitting delays, with some projects taking four to seven years for grid connections in critical regions. As U.S. companies seek better power availability abroad, this could enhance the compute capabilities of other nations, presenting economic and military advantages. Without swift action, the U.S. may lag in the global AI race amidst tightening power constraints.  

This is a brief overview of a report from RAND Corporation. For complete insights, we recommend reading the full report.

Related articles

All Topics
All Topics
All Topics
All Topics
All Topics
All Topics
All Topics
All Topics
All Topics
All Topics
All Topics
All Topics
All Topics
All Topics
All Topics
All Topics
All Topics
All Topics
All Topics
All Topics
All Topics
Trump wins Iowa — no surprises there. What happens next?
Brookings
·
Nov 18, 2023

Trump wins Iowa — no surprises there. What happens next?

Summary
  • Trump's win in Iowa was expected, and he secured over 50% of the vote, performing well across various voter groups.
  • The race for second place was also as predicted, with Ron DeSantis and Nikki Haley finishing second and third, respectively.
Leans Left
Commentary
·
2024 U.S. Elections
Read summary
(1 min.)
-->
Ukraine’s Desperate Hour: The World Needs a Russian Defeat
American Enterprise Institute
·
Nov 18, 2023

Ukraine’s Desperate Hour: The World Needs a Russian Defeat

Summary
  • AEI expert Hal Brands writes that the war in Ukraine is a critical test of democratic resilience against authoritarian forces.
  • The outcome of this conflict could either reinforce or erode the current global order, depending on the sustained commitment of democratic nations.
Conservative
Op-Ed
·
Ukraine-Russia War
Read summary
(1 min.)
-->
AI can strengthen U.S. democracy—and weaken it
Brookings
·
Nov 18, 2023

AI can strengthen U.S. democracy—and weaken it

Summary
  • AI has the potential to improve election administration but requires vigilant monitoring for risks such as phishing attacks, misinformation, and potential bias in voter rolls.
  • Policymakers, advocates, and citizens need to stay informed about technological advancements to harness AI's positive potential.
Leans Left
Commentary
·
Artificial Intelligence
Read summary
(1 min.)
-->
Students Are Not the Biggest Problem When It Comes to Speech
American Enterprise Institute
·
Nov 18, 2023

Students Are Not the Biggest Problem When It Comes to Speech

Summary
  • Samuel J. Abrams at the American Enterprise Institute discusses the issue of free speech on college campuses, arguing the real issue lies with college administrators and diversity, equity, and inclusion offices, which contribute to a culture of censorship and fear.
  • Abrams argues students widely support the First Amendment and open debate, even if some ideas may be uncomfortable.
Conservative
Blog
·
Education
Read summary
(1 min.)
-->
Helping Ukraine Is Forcing the United States to Produce More Weapons
Hudson Institute
·
Nov 18, 2023

Helping Ukraine Is Forcing the United States to Produce More Weapons

Summary
  • The U.S. is increasing its production of artillery rounds, with plans to produce more than 80,000 rounds per month next year and potentially 100,000 shells per month by 2025.
  • Supporting Ukraine is pushing the American defense industrial base to produce high quantities of weapons in a short amount of time across various states.
Conservative
Policy Brief
·
Ukraine-Russia War
Read summary
(1 min.)
-->
No results found.
Original Read Time
9 min
Organization
The Brookings Institution
Category
Israel-Gaza War
Political Ideology
Center Left

We make expert analysis of current events
simple and accessible for all.

Join us in elevating our public discourse.