In a story echoing the film Her, Chris Smith fell in love with his AI companion ‘Sol,’ sparking debates about the emotional, ethical, and environmental implications of AI relationships. As AI becomes a fixture in emotional support roles, we must confront its carbon footprint, psychological effects, and the broader impact on human connection.
As AI’s energy appetite grows, the tech industry is turning to a mix of advanced nuclear technologies, smart grid innovations, and next-generation renewables to meet demand. From molten salt reactors and microreactors to AI-driven load balancing and long-duration energy storage, companies are exploring a diverse portfolio of solutions. Emerging technologies like green hydrogen and fusion, along with streamlined energy policies and private grid development, are shaping a future where clean, reliable power can keep pace with AI’s exponential growth.
Artificial Intelligence is shaking up the green energy world — and not just because it uses a lot of power. In 2025, AI is proving to be a powerful tool in optimizing renewable energy, accelerating clean tech innovation, and even helping build a circular economy. But can something so energy-hungry actually help save the planet? Andrea dives into the pros, cons, and surprising opportunities of AI’s role in the sustainability revolution.
“When I see €109 billion going into AI while the National Forest Office—which manages 10% of French territory—only receives €1 billion per year as forests are dying, I can’t help but feel we’re not prioritizing correctly… We’re rushing headlong into something simply because we can do it—while ignoring far more critical challenges.”
In a landmark move toward securing clean, reliable energy for its rapidly expanding data centers, Google has partnered with nuclear startup Elementl Power to develop three advanced nuclear reactor sites totaling 1.8 gigawatts (GW) of electricity generation capacity. This collaboration underscores the tech giant’s commitment to achieving 24/7 carbon-free energy while meeting the soaring power demands driven by AI and cloud computing. The project will feature next-generation small modular reactors (SMRs), marking a pivotal moment in the evolution of nuclear energy and its integration into the modern grid.
Elon Musk’s xAI project in Memphis is under fire for exacerbating environmental and social injustices in historically Black and disadvantaged neighborhoods. Accusations of “environmental racism” have arisen due to the facility’s massive resource consumption, air and water pollution, and lack of transparency. The supercomputer, named “Colossus,” powers the Grok AI chatbot but requires 4 million liters of water daily and 150 megawatts of electricity, equivalent to powering 100,000 homes annually. Local residents, already burdened by industrial contamination, see no benefits from the project, which has worsened existing pollution. Meanwhile, critics question whether Musk’s ventures prioritize profit over sustainability and societal well-being.