‘The world is not prepared:’ How AI energy thirst might tap into geothermal power

Data-hungry models like ChatGPT and Google ’s Gemini rely on troves of digital material in data centers that require massive amounts of energy.

Some estimates suggest this swelling energy demand could account for nine percent of all US electricity by the end of the decade .

Tech companies are scrambling in an effort to find more renewable energy to keep those climate goals within striking distance.

Data centers operated by Meta and other tech firms still take in electricity produced in part by fossil fuels.

Meta attempts to offset those carbon emissions by matching its total annual electricity use with renewable energy purchases.

Geothermal energy will be one more addition to Meta ’s renewable offsets which they need to increase as their demand for electricity balloons.

More than half of new energy used to meet demand could come from non-renewable sources.

“Those are just massive shifts that I don't think that the world is prepared for right now,” Beard said.

Geothermal could mature into a viable, cleaner alternative to fossil fuels at scale but it will require patience and persistence tech companies in particular aren’t exactly known for.