After speaking with dozens of researchers, we realized that the common understanding of AI’s energy appetite is full of holes. AI is in its infancyWe focused on measuring the energy requirements that go into using a chatbot, generating an image, and creating a video with AI. Lots of AI companies are building reasoning models, which “think” for longer and use more energy. All these trends point to a more energy-intensive future (which, again, helps explain why OpenAI and others are spending such inconceivable amounts of money on energy). The models, chips, and cooling methods behind this AI revolution could all grow more efficient over time, as my colleague Will Douglas Heaven explains.