From Paradox to Progress: A Net-Positive AI Energy Framework
Rising AI adoption is reshaping economies, but accelerating energy demand risks straining grids, raising costs and undermining climate progress. By 2035, global data centre electricity use could exceed 1,200 terawatt-hours, nearly triple 2024 levels, highlighting the need to align AI growth with energy system capacity and sustainability goals.
Rising AI adoption is reshaping economies, but accelerating energy demand risks straining grids, raising costs and undermining climate progress. By 2035, global data centre electricity use could exceed 1,200 terawatt-hours, nearly triple 2024 levels, highlighting the need to align AI growth with energy system capacity and sustainability goals.
Written by the World Economic Forum in collaboration with Accenture, From Paradox to Progress: A Net Positive AI Energy Framework offers a practical blueprint to ensure AI strengthens, rather than burdens, global energy systems. Built around three action drivers – design for efficiency, deploy for impact and shape demand wisely – and supported by enablers such as education, collaboration and transparent measurement, it provides a pathway for responsible scaling.
Referencing over 130 real-world use cases from a newly launched repository, the report shows how intentional design and coordinated governance can turn AI into a catalyst for resilience, competitiveness and climate-positive impact.
Explore the new AI Energy Foresight Tool here, featuring tested, real-world AI energy use cases from industry peers.