The AI Boom Will Increase US Carbon Emissions—but It Doesn’t Have To | WIRED

A new analysis from the Union of Concerned Scientists finds that the AI boom will significantly increase US carbon emissions and electricity costs, but renewables and tax credits for wind and solar could mitigate these impacts. The analysis predicts a 60 to 80 percent increase in electricity demand by 2050, with data centers accounting for over half of this increase. If current policies remain unchanged, CO2 emissions from US power plants could rise by 19 to 29 percent over the next decade. However, reintroducing tax credits for wind and solar could reduce emissions by over 30 percent and lower wholesale electricity costs by 4 percent by 2050. The analysis also suggests that more stringent power plant regulations and increased investment in transmission upgrades could prevent up to $13 trillion in climate costs.