AI, Data Centers, and Growing Resource Demands
As governments, utilities, and technology companies expand AI infrastructure, questions are emerging about electricity demand, water use, land use, emissions, transmission capacity, and community impacts. This session examines what is driving AI-related resource demand, what remains uncertain, and how public officials can evaluate competing claims about economic development, sustainability, affordability, and reliability.
By the end of this workshop, participants will be able to:
- Identify the key drivers of AI-related electricity, water, land, and infrastructure demands.
- Evaluate competing claims about the economic, environmental, affordability, and reliability impacts of AI infrastructure.
- Assess the tradeoffs public officials should consider when planning for data center growth and its impacts on communities.
AI, Energy, and the Environment: Use, Policy,…Coming UpUsing AI to Improve Energy and Environmental Systems
Explore how public agencies, utilities, and environmental organizations are using AI across energy and environmental systems, where these applications are delivering value, and how organizations can evaluate their effectiveness and impact.
AI, Energy, and the Environment: Use, Policy,…Coming UpPolicy Choices, Investment Strategies, and Governance
Explore how governments are using policy, regulation, planning, procurement, and investment to manage AI-related infrastructure growth while balancing innovation, community impacts, grid reliability, and environmental goals.