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Throughout the nation, Americans are accessing the internet at all times of the day and night. According to a 2024Pew Research Poll, 96% of adults said they use the internet on a mobile device from time to time. This figure has increased steadily since May 2000, when only 48% indicated they used it occasionally. As more individuals are connected online, utility companies have started to get ready for an increase in electricity usage.
"Internet usage was exaggerated, as it turned out, especially in the beginning. Then it caught up, and we observed the actual consumption later," said Joseph Dominguez, President and CEO of Constellation.
But when it's aboutnew artificial intelligence, Dominguez states that widespread adoption occurred almost instantly and has grown faster than the internet boom. White House AI and Crypto Czar David Sacks agrees.
The implementation is occurring more rapidly than any prior technology. It's quicker than the internet, and faster than the iPhone. Therefore, it's being embraced swiftly," Sacks stated. "Nevertheless, approximately half of the population has not yet experienced it.
Fox News Polling showsFifty-seven percent of registered voters rarely or never engage with artificial intelligence. Twenty-seven percent reported using the technology on a daily basis. The level of usage might be influenced by individuals' perceptions of the technology. People who viewed A.I. negatively were less familiar with it and indicated they used it infrequently (77%). In contrast, those who saw A.I. as beneficial used it more often (47%). Specialists predict that the use of A.I. will continue to grow.
"OpenAI's ChatGPT, upon its release, became the quickest-growing consumer technology product in history in November 2022, but this is just a small part of what they have today," said senior advisor Gregory Allen from the Wadhwani A.I. center at the Center for Strategic and International Studies.
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To meet the growing demand and keep progressing in the field of artificial intelligence,data centersare offering a 24-hour connection.
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"Powering all the computational resources that modern A.I. requires consumes a significant amount of electricity," Allen stated.
Artificial intelligence models are often trained to stay up-to-date. Software needs consistent updates, and new data centers require significant cooling systems to ensure smooth operation. Allen mentions that the biggest AI algorithms will need between 1 and 5gigawatts of electricity to operate.
"One gigawatt equates to roughly the amount of electricity generated by one Hoover Dam. So, picture five Hoover Dams dedicated solely to powering a single data center filled with a company's artificial intelligence systems," Allen stated.
The increasing complexity and the demand for modernized facilities have placed pressure on existing resources.
"Data centers have grown significantly in size. Therefore, when considering this, we require land that must be properly zoned. We need to obtain permits to construct these facilities, and we must ensure a greater supply of electricity," said Microsoft President and Vice Chair Brad Smith.
Data centers are frequently grouped in specific regions. As per the Northern Virginia Regional Commission, the area's 250 facilities manage approximately 70% of worldwide internet traffic. In regions with a high number of data centers, technology companies may experience delays when trying to connect to the power grid. Internationally, certain countries and local governments have imposed limits on the number of data centers that can be constructed. Within the United States, Dominguez notes that President Donald Trump has implemented some measures to expedite parts of the approval process.
"The executive orders are now helping to reduce a significant amount of bureaucracy, and as a result, we are no longer obligated to perform tasks that were necessary in the past," Dominguez stated.
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Prior to constructing a nuclear facility, developers must secure an initial site permit that evaluates the geological features, site characteristics, and the feasibility of establishing a new plant.
It makes sense if you've never constructed a nuclear reactor in that location before. However, in our situation, we already have reactors that have been functioning in these communities for many years," Dominguez stated. "At present, the NRC regulations force us to undertake a time-consuming process that costs roughly $35 million each to confirm what we already understand—that nuclear energy could be placed there. Due to the president's executive orders, this requirement is no longer necessary.
Once a nuclear facility is operational, future data centers might also connect directly to the site. Power would be consistently available.
"It operates like a freight train around the clock, through all seasons and weather conditions," Dominguez stated.
Nuclear plantsfunction at maximum efficiency, even more than other energy sources, which makes it a dependable option for technology firms.
Nuclear energy serves as a reliable source of electricity for artificial intelligence and various other applications," Smith stated. "In the United States, we have not introduced new nuclear power sources for many decades.
U.S. nuclear power plants provide almost 20% of the country's electricity. The 93 nuclear facilities generate more power each year than the combined output of over 8,000 wind, solar, and geothermal plants. Dominguez mentioned that a continuous energy supply might not always be essential, and maintaining a variety of energy sources is crucial. Constellation also invests in solar energy alongside nuclear power.
"We must create 20 times more solar power to achieve the same effect as a single megawatt of nuclear energy," Dominguez stated.
Original article source: Artificial intelligence is increasing the need for an upgrade to the electrical grid
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