Recent advancements in fusion energy, artificial intelligence (AI), and robotics are poised to transform the energy landscape and computing industries. German scientists at the Wendelstein 7-X stellarator have set a new fusion record by sustaining 59 megajoules, signaling progress toward practical fusion power. Experts suggest that fusion energy could alleviate the growing electricity demands of AI, which is projected to consume 1,500 terawatt-hours annually by the end of the decade—surpassing the electricity usage of countries like Russia, Japan, and Brazil. This surge in AI power consumption has driven a boom in data center construction, with investments exceeding $100 billion, although some regions such as Colorado have seen limited development. However, concerns about the environmental impact of these centers persist, exemplified by a new AI data center in Lincolnshire reportedly emitting more than five Birmingham airports combined. Innovations such as serverless AI inference, brain-inspired computing, photonic and analog chips, and the utilization of unused global GPU power networks are being explored to improve AI energy efficiency and reduce reliance on large-scale data centers. Companies like Helion Energy are advancing fusion technology, which could provide a clean and abundant power source to support AI's computational needs. Additionally, some AI operators are turning to hydroelectric-powered data centers, as seen in Canada, to avoid fossil fuel dependence. Despite these efforts, challenges related to heat management, energy supply, and geopolitical factors remain critical barriers to AI scaling by 2028. Research into low-bandwidth, model-parallel training methods also aims to optimize AI performance over existing internet infrastructure. Overall, the intersection of fusion energy breakthroughs and AI innovation offers promising pathways to meet future computational and environmental demands.
Scientists edge closer to unleashing virtually unlimited power source — here’s when it could finally go live https://t.co/sEL3NFaUnp
Everyone still thinks AI scale is about bigger models. It’s not. Or not entirely. By 2028, AI’s future runs into three walls: – Heat – Energy – Geopolitics
Forget “renewable energy” — new AI data centers are building their own gas plants in Texas « JoNova https://t.co/eC42xz8nKQ via @JoanneNova