Part 14/18:
Energy consumption poses another critical challenge. AI models are voracious energy users, with the International Energy Agency estimating that AI could double global data center electricity demand by 2026—surpassing Japan's total annual consumption. The outdated US power grid complicates efforts to meet this demand, whereas China has been rapidly modernizing its infrastructure. Tech giants like Microsoft and Amazon are investing in their own power sources, including nuclear energy, to secure the necessary energy for future AI operations.