AI's Power Hunger Threatens Tech's Green Pledges

0:00Tech giants like Google and Microsoft set bold climate targets years ago to run on clean energy and cut emissions by 2030. Now, the explosive growth of artificial intelligence is throwing those plans off track as massive data centers guzzle power like small cities. Companies are buying record amounts of wind and solar power, but their overall emissions keep climbing. Over the first five years of these pledges, Google's rose nearly 50 percent, Amazon's by 33 percent, Microsoft's by more than 23 percent and met as by over 60 percent. Analysts point out that even without changing official goals, leaders are admitting they're falling behind. The rush to stay competitive means grabbing any available energy, and that's off the natural gas, which powers over 40 percent of U.S. data centers right now. Experts highlight great connection delays for new projects and possible policy shifts under the Trump administration that could slow renewables even. More, utilities are rushing to build gas plants nationwide with some tech firms eyeing

1:04onsite ones just for their facilities. This power scramble is creating a tough squeeze on clean energy progress, forcing tough choices as AI demands skyrocket. I'm Corey with the story. That's your Durham News Today update, AI powered and always on.