AI's rapid expansion is significantly impacting various sectors, from energy consumption and job markets to technological advancements and agricultural practices. Reports indicate a surge in data center electricity usage, potentially doubling by 2025, with AI systems consuming a substantial portion. This growth is straining energy infrastructures, leading some companies to explore fossil fuels to meet power demands, which consequently hinders environmental goals. The UN reports a 150% increase in indirect carbon emissions from tech giants due to AI, with data centers requiring significant water for cooling. Digital Realty is upgrading data centers to manage AI growth while focusing on sustainability through renewable energy and efficient cooling systems. In the job market, AI is contributing to fewer hires of college graduates and increased layoffs, particularly in administrative, customer service, and software development roles. Experts suggest specializing in analytical skills to improve job prospects. An economic slowdown could accelerate AI adoption for cost reduction, potentially displacing entry-level white-collar jobs. Countries like India and China are making significant strides in AI development. India is investing nearly $1.21 billion to build its own AI model, aiming to compete globally despite challenges in hardware, GPU access, and cloud resources. China is rapidly advancing in AI, demonstrated by breakthroughs in robotics and AI startups. AI is also making inroads into law and agriculture. Studies show AI can now ace law school exams, though performance varies with access to professor's notes. In agriculture, companies are investing in AI for precision farming, biological production, and crop breeding to enhance farming practices and crop production. LinkLive, an AI contact center platform, is enhancing its AI engagement with a new sales leader and trademark, focusing on secure customer interactions. xAI is training voice models using diverse conversations to create more human-like interactions. The FDA is experimenting with AI tools, but facing challenges with accuracy, while Novo Nordisk encounters competition in the obesity drug market.
Key Takeaways
- AI systems could consume nearly half of all data center electricity by 2025, straining power grids.
- Indirect carbon emissions from big tech companies have risen 150% in three years due to AI growth.
- AI is contributing to fewer hires and more layoffs in technology companies, especially in entry-level positions.
- An economic slowdown could accelerate AI adoption, leading to faster job displacement.
- India is investing $1.21 billion to develop its own AI model to compete globally.
- China is rapidly advancing in AI, with breakthroughs in robotics and AI startups.
- AI can now ace most law school final exams, showing significant improvement in AI capabilities.
- xAI is training voice models using diverse conversations to create more human-like interactions.
- Companies are investing in AI for precision farming, biological production, and crop breeding to improve agriculture.
- Digital Realty is upgrading data centers for AI while focusing on sustainability.
AI power use in data centers may double by 2025 analyst says
AI systems could use nearly half of all data center electricity by the end of 2025, according to Digiconomist. AI chip demand from companies like Nvidia and AMD is straining power grids. By the end of this year, AI's power demand could hit 23 gigawatts. Some firms are turning to fossil fuels to meet their power needs, like Crusoe Energy which secured 4.5 gigawatts of gas-fired power. Microsoft and Google admit AI growth makes it harder to meet environmental goals.
Digital Realty upgrades data centers for AI while staying green
Digital Realty is upgrading its data centers to handle the growth of AI while trying to reduce carbon emissions. Data centers used 1.5% of global electricity in 2024, and that could double by 2030. AI infrastructure also uses a lot of water for cooling, up to 5 million gallons per day for one facility. Digital Realty is working to use more renewable energy, upgrade cooling systems, and build new sites in a sustainable way. They are also using Apollo AI to improve energy and water efficiency.
UN says tech giants' emissions jumped 150% as AI expands
A UN agency reports that indirect carbon emissions from big tech companies rose 150% in three years because of AI growth. Amazon's emissions grew the most at 182%, followed by Microsoft, Meta, and Alphabet. The data centers needed for AI development could strain energy infrastructure. Carbon emissions from AI systems could reach 102.6 million tons of carbon dioxide equivalent per year. The report notes that companies' emission targets haven't fully reduced emissions yet.
AI is replacing jobs and slowing down hiring says report
AI is causing technology companies to hire fewer college graduates and lay off more employees. The unemployment rate for recent college grads has risen from 3.9% to 5.8% since April 2022. Many tech companies are hiring fewer software developers, as AI handles basic tasks. Some companies have laid off workers in administrative and customer service roles, replacing them with AI. Experts advise IT majors to specialize in analytical skills to improve their job prospects.
AI job replacement may speed up amid economic slowdown experts say
Economists warn that an economic slowdown could make businesses use AI more to cut costs. This could lead to faster AI adoption but also job losses. Some companies like IBM are already replacing HR workers with AI agents. One expert suggests half of all entry-level white-collar jobs may be gone in five years. Since ChatGPT's debut, companies have been slow to adopt AI, but this could change with a weaker economy.
India aims to build its own world-class AI engine
India wants to create its own AI model to compete with ChatGPT and DeepSeek. The IndiaAI Mission has a budget of nearly $1.21 billion to develop AI models. Indian startups need to compete globally, not just locally, according to IndiaAI Mission CEO Abhishek Singh. India faces challenges like a shortage of AI hardware, limited GPU access, and insufficient cloud resources. Some believe the diversity of languages in India also poses a challenge.
LinkLive boosts AI engagement with new sales leader and trademark
LinkLive, an AI contact center platform, has hired Julie Dang as Chief Revenue Officer. This move aims to boost the company's growth in regulated industries. LinkLive also announced the official registration of its CONNECT WITH TRUST trademark. The trademark highlights LinkLive's focus on secure and compliant customer interactions. The company is investing in AI to improve digital and voice channel engagement.
Pennsylvania lawmakers want AI companies to set up shop in state
State legislators are pushing for artificial intelligence companies to take root in Pa....
China's rapid AI progress explored by Korea Innovation Center
China is rapidly advancing in artificial intelligence, with breakthroughs like DeepSeek and Unitree robots. Beijing held the world's first humanoid robot half-marathon this spring. Kim Eunji from CICG and KIM Jongmoon from Korea Innovation Center explore Beijing's AI startups. They aim to discover the key to China's AI success.
AI now an A+ law student study shows
A new study shows that the latest AI can ace most law school final exams. This is a big improvement from earlier versions of ChatGPT, which earned lower grades in past studies. The AI program o3 earned A+ grades in Constitutional Law, Professional Responsibility, and Property. However, o3 performed worse when given access to the professor's notes. Researchers plan to study how AI could be used for cheating on exams.
Musk's xAI trains voice models with zombie chats and Mars plans
Elon Musk's xAI is training voice models using unusual conversations like zombie apocalypse scenarios and life on Mars. Freelancers are paid to record these conversations to make xAI's voice models sound more human. Scale AI is working on at least 10 AI projects for xAI, including this one called Project Xylophone. The goal is to create engaging scripts and high-quality audio for the models.
AI, biologicals and crop breeding investments detailed in roundup
Cooperative Ventures has invested in Precision AI, a startup using AI for farming practices. Syngenta opened a new biological production facility in South Carolina to produce biostimulants. Loveland Products and Dyna-Gro Seed are expanding rice research with Louisiana State University. These efforts aim to improve farming practices, increase plant health, and boost crop production through AI, biologicals, and crop breeding.
FDA's AI experiment and Novo's obesity drug challenges discussed
This podcast episode discusses the FDA's internal AI tool called Elsa, which is making mistakes. It also covers Novo Nordisk's challenges in the obesity drug market, where it now trails Eli Lilly. Finally, it touches on Sanofi's $9 billion offer for Blueprint Medicines. The episode explores the FDA's AI experiment, Novo's struggles, and a major biotech acquisition.
Sources
- AI could soon use nearly half of all data centre power, analyst warns
- How Digital Realty is upgrading its data centers for AI — and trying to stay green
- Tech giants' indirect emissions rose 150% in three years as AI expands, UN agency says
- AI is already wiping out jobs, intensifying a hiring slowdown
- Why companies may soon accelerate replacing jobs with AI
- India is reaching for its own world-class AI engine
- LinkLive Expands Sales Leadership, Strengthens AI-Driven Engagement with CONNECT WITH TRUST® Trademark
- State legislators are pushing for artificial intelligence companies to take root in Pa.
- Why Can China Make Rapid Progress in Artificial Intelligence?
- Artificial Intelligence is now an A+ law student, study finds
- Elon Musk's xAl is training voice models with zombie-apocalypse chats, plumbing fails, and life on Mars
- Roundup Of Investments in Artificial Intelligence, Biologicals and Crop Breeding
- An AI experiment at the FDA & Novo trailing in the obesity drug race