In an interview with Nikkei Asia, CEO of Google Sundar Pichai, reveals that the company is thinking about using nuclear energy as a green source to power their AI data centers. This news came after Microsoft announced the start of Three Mile Islands to power their AI data centers. Holtec’s Palisades nuclear plant is also going to be revived in Michigan. Pichai said that AI is the most important and powerful technology that we ever had in history. So, everyone wants to do well with it.
Google had said three years ago that it is going to achieve net-zero emissions by 2030. But instead of decreasing, greenhouse gas emissions have increased to 48% within three years because of AI data centers. But Google is still trying to decrease emissions by achieving green energy by 2030.
Sundai Pichai said in the interview that they are working towards a very ambitious target. AI has just changed the trajectory of their plans but they are still going to achieve their target. He added that Google is looking for alternate technologies like solar and nuclear power to make their data centers work.
Nikkei mentioned that Sundai Pichai didn’t mention when and how they are going to use nuclear power exactly. They could be reviving old nuclear plants to use their power, just like Microsoft. Microsoft made an agreement with Three Mile Island near Pennsylvania where a lot of dormant nuclear plants are present. Government and big tech companies are understanding the need for nuclear energy for data centers because net-zero goals cannot be achieved by solar and wind power alone.
Image: DIW-Aigen
Read next:
• Many Big Tech Companies Produce More Carbon Emissions than What They Say In Reports
• The Environmental Cost of Online Activity: New Study Reveals Carbon Footprint of Daily Social Media Usage
• Eric Schmidt: AI Expansion Could Undermine Efforts to Achieve Climate Neutrality
Google had said three years ago that it is going to achieve net-zero emissions by 2030. But instead of decreasing, greenhouse gas emissions have increased to 48% within three years because of AI data centers. But Google is still trying to decrease emissions by achieving green energy by 2030.
Sundai Pichai said in the interview that they are working towards a very ambitious target. AI has just changed the trajectory of their plans but they are still going to achieve their target. He added that Google is looking for alternate technologies like solar and nuclear power to make their data centers work.
Nikkei mentioned that Sundai Pichai didn’t mention when and how they are going to use nuclear power exactly. They could be reviving old nuclear plants to use their power, just like Microsoft. Microsoft made an agreement with Three Mile Island near Pennsylvania where a lot of dormant nuclear plants are present. Government and big tech companies are understanding the need for nuclear energy for data centers because net-zero goals cannot be achieved by solar and wind power alone.
Read next:
• Many Big Tech Companies Produce More Carbon Emissions than What They Say In Reports
• The Environmental Cost of Online Activity: New Study Reveals Carbon Footprint of Daily Social Media Usage
• Eric Schmidt: AI Expansion Could Undermine Efforts to Achieve Climate Neutrality
