The energy demands to drive the processing power needed for new waves of AI breakthroughs, and the future energy needs of the wider AI sector will be on the agenda as the AI Energy Council gathers today.
With UK energy providers, tech companies, the energy regulator Ofgem, and the National Energy System Operator (NESO) convening, the second meeting of the AI Energy Council will discuss how to collaborate on forecasting the energy required to deliver a twenty-fold increase in compute capacity over the next five years.
The meeting is also expected to cover which sectors are likely to adopt AI quickly and how this could drive significant shifts in energy demand.
Discussions will focus on what assumptions need to be made to accurately forecast that demand, ensuring the energy system is prepared for AI.
Chaired by the Technology and Energy Secretaries, the meeting follows the UK Government’s announcement of £2bn to deliver the AI Opportunities Action Plan.
AI Energy Council will discuss how much compute capacity grid needs
The AI Energy Council today will discuss how to collaborate on forecasting the energy required to deliver this twenty-fold increase in compute capacity over the next five years.
Compute represents the key building block of AI development. It captures the vital resources which make AI models work, such as the processing power which allows them to be trained on data and process information.
By increasing the UK’s capacity, it will give scientists and AI companies from across the UK access to the systems they need for their cutting-edge research, making the next big breakthrough from personalised medical treatments, more sustainable air travel, or developing new tools in the fight against climate change.
The meeting is also expected to cover which sectors are likely to adopt AI quickly and how this could drive significant shifts in energy demand.
Secretary of State for Science, Innovation, and Technology, Peter Kyle, explained: “We are clear-eyed on the need to make sure we can power this golden era for British AI through responsible, sustainable energy sources.
“Today’s talks will help us drive forward that mission, delivering AI infrastructure which will benefit communities up and down the country for generations to come without ever compromising on our clean energy superpower ambitions.”
The future of AI Growth Zones
The AI Energy Council meeting will also consider the future energy needs of the AI sector more broadly, as the government continues to move forward with its plans to roll out AI Growth Zones nationwide.
These hotbeds of AI development will unlock billions in investment and create scores of new jobs across the country, with communities throughout the UK already expressing interest in hosting future growth zone sites.
“Bringing together the biggest players in AI and energy will help us discuss the role AI can play an important role in building a new era of clean electricity for our country, and meeting the power demands of new technology as we build a clean power system for families and businesses,” said Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, Ed Miliband.
Turbocharging economic growth with AI
Since establishing the AI Energy Council in January, the government has been deepening its work with both Ofgem and the National Energy System Operator (NESO) to deliver fundamental reforms to the UK’s connections process.
Once final sign-offs from Ofgem are in place, this could mean more than 400GW of additional capacity is freed up from the grid connection queue, turbocharging the AI projects which are vital to economic growth.