AI may exacerbate the energy trilemma

The rapid expansion of artificial intelligence (AI) is intensifying the global energy trilemma, threatening security, equity, and sustainability. Its soaring electricity demand—projected to rival Japan’s entire annual consumption by 2030—is the primary driver. This surge poses a direct threat to energy security, as demand growth dramatically outpaces grid infrastructure development and provokes regional power crises. This trend also undermines energy equity: locally, it drives up electricity prices, unfairly burdening consumers, while globally, it creates a stark imbalance wherein developed nations reap the benefits of AI while developing regions disproportionately bear the environmental costs of raw material extraction. Finally, this dynamic challenges energy sustainability, as short-term, AI-driven productivity gains are often eclipsed by unsustainable energy consumption. While AI holds immense long-term potential to advance a green transition, realizing this is contingent upon embedding the technology within an inclusive governance framework that aligns its trajectory with the overarching goals of sustainable development.