Artificial intelligence may surpass Bitcoin in terms of electricity consumption by the end of 2025. This forecast was published by analyst Alex de Vries, who studies the impact of digital technologies on energy.
This is reported by Business • Media
AI and Data Centers: Rapid Growth in Electricity Consumption
As of May 2025, the artificial intelligence sector is expected to consume up to 20% of the electricity used by all data centers worldwide. According to the expert’s calculations, AI alone could account for about 23 GW, which is equivalent to the energy consumption of the United Kingdom and represents approximately half of the total used by data centers globally.
De Vries applied a “triangulation” method for his estimates, combining statistics from TSMC chip production, corporate data, and analytical reports. He notes that in just the past year, the production of AI chips has doubled, indicating explosive growth in demand in the sector.
Threats to Energy Systems and Green Energy
The expert points out the similarities between cryptocurrency mining and the development of AI: both sectors are characterized by rapid expansion of capacities, lack of transparent reporting, and increased strain on energy systems. Despite companies’ claims of climate responsibility, tech giants like Microsoft and Google do not disclose specific data on AI’s energy consumption in their sustainability reports.
To meet the growing demand, energy companies in the U.S. have already announced plans to build new gas and nuclear power plants for AI needs. This could create additional risks for the transition to clean energy, as the pace of AI implementation outstrips improvements in its energy efficiency.
“The question of whether increased energy efficiency will lead to a reduction in overall energy consumption remains open. Experts point to the risk of the Jevons Paradox: the more efficient AI becomes, the more it is used. Without detailed and transparent data on energy consumption in this sector, solving the problem is impossible,” emphasized De Vries.
It is worth noting that Pakistan previously allocated 2000 MW for the development of Bitcoin mining and artificial intelligence, which also indicates the massive growth in energy consumption by digital technologies worldwide.