How AI Can Solve Its Own Energy Crisis | Varun Sivaram | TED
In his thought-provoking TED talk, Varun Sivaram explores a groundbreaking solution to the impending energy crisis driven by artificial intelligence (AI) data centers. Set against the backdrop of sweltering Phoenix, Arizona, Sivaram illustrates how AI can actively mitigate the stress it places on power grids. By achieving a 25% reduction in energy consumption during peak demand hours, AI servers at an Oracle data center demonstrated a viable path toward energy flexibility.
Sivaram introduces the concept of spatiotemporal flexibility, advocating for AI data centers to adjust their energy consumption dynamically. This innovative approach enables these massive energy users to scale back during peak moments while maximizing efficiency during low-demand periods. The technology, developed by Emerald AI, has already proven effective in real-world scenarios.
As America grapples with surging data center demands projected to rise from 4% to 12% of national energy consumption by 2030, Sivaram urges collaboration between technology and energy sectors to capitalize on this potential. By reimagining how AI interacts with energy, we can foster a future that ensures abundant, reliable, and clean power while furthering AI’s innovations. Sivaram’s vision suggests that rather than overwhelming the grid, AI can become its greatest ally, reshaping our energy landscape for the better.
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Video “How AI Can Solve Its Own Energy Crisis | Varun Sivaram | TED” was uploaded on 12/12/2025 to Youtube Channel TED