The International Energy Agency (IEA) is a Paris-based intergovernmental body that publishes energy data and policy analysis. Recent coverage cites its figures: data centers used about 415 TWh in 2024, 2-3% of global electricity, while global critical minerals investment fell 9% in 2025, alongside tech companies' AI capex plans above $730 billion for 2026. Its data also informs debates on AI's energy and water use.
Commentary: AI Capital Boom vs. Critical Minerals Funding GapA commentary notes top tech companies' 2026 AI capex plans exceed $730 billion, while the IEA reported global critical minerals investment fell 9% in 2025, highlighting a capital allocation gap.
AI drives data center power demand; Mexico needs 1.73 GW by 2031IEA data shows data centers used about 415 TWh in 2024, 2-3% of global electricity; Mexico's CFE and MEXDC plan for roughly 1.73 GW of capacity by 2031, with 279 MW installed and 205 MW under construction now.
Gore: Real AI Risk Isn’t Data CentersAl Gore told TechCrunch he’s less worried about AI data center emissions than warnings coming from within the AI industry about the technology’s trajectory. He said emissions from AI data centers are a fraction of some other sources and noted global air-conditioning demand poses a larger electricity challenge, while still expressing concern about how data centers are powered.
AI and sustainability: tensions and challengesAn expert argues AI's growth clashes with planetary resource limits and urges evaluating systems by energy, water, and material costs, citing data from the International Energy Agency to support the warning.
The A.I. Daily