AI Is Growing! Where Does All That Power Come From ?!!
Artificial intelligence often goes unnoticed. When we ask a question, create an image, use navigation, or save something online, we get results in seconds. Most of us do not see the systems working behind the scenes.
AI relies on large data centers packed with computers that handle and store a lot of information.
As AI expands, the need for these centers is rising too. Data centers can create jobs, attract investment, and introduce new technology to communities, but they also use electricity, water, land, and other resources.
This is important for Oregon. The state already has data centers, and more could mean new economic opportunities. Still, people in these communities wonder how much energy these centers use and what their long-term environmental impact might be.
Rising electricity demand highlights why this topic is important. The International Energy Agency says that data centers worldwide used about 415 terawatt-hours of electricity in 2024. They expect this number to grow to around 945 terawatt-hours by 2030.
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Source: International Energy Agency, Energy and AI. |
I don’t think stopping technology from advancing is the solution. AI brings many benefits and will likely play an even bigger role in our lives. Instead, we should focus on how to keep developing technology responsibly.
Where should new data centers go? Where will they get their electricity? How much water will they use? What steps can companies take to lower their environmental impact? Most importantly, how much say should local communities have in these projects?
We need to talk about these questions now, since the choices we make today could shape Oregon’s future for a long time.
Why should you care?
Whenever we use AI, there’s real infrastructure working behind the scenes to make it possible. Knowing what goes on beyond the screen can help us decide what kind of tech growth we want to support.
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