The sustainability paradox — AI’s power appetite vs. climate goals
NTT Data projects that AI’s explosive compute requirements could soon outstrip current global energy planning models. The firm warns that without aggressive efficiency and renewables adoption, AI innovation could become a carbon liability.
Key signals from NTT Data’s findings
- AI workloads could account for 52% of data-centre energy use by 2030.
- Training a single foundation model can emit as much CO₂ as five car lifetimes.
- NTT urges regulatory frameworks and green-AI design standards to keep growth sustainable.
Why it matters
C-suites are waking up to the reality that AI’s growth and ESG goals are colliding. The new frontier: balancing performance with energy responsibility. Expect to see AI sustainability officers becoming a fixture in enterprise strategy by 2026.