Compute and Consequences

Compute and Consequences: Aligning AI Ambitions with Power Reality

AI’s global expansion is no longer just a technology story; it’s an energy story. Energy Considered’s 5,000 tracked key opinion leaders referenced AI more than 850 times in Q1 2025, showing how firmly the technology had entered mainstream energy policy and investment debates. By Q2, mentions climbed past 1,150, reflecting AI’s expanding weight in shaping both investor priorities and regulatory agendas.

In the U.S., the push is all about speed. With deregulation and private capital fuelling unprecedented data-centre buildout, we tracked Mike Sommers (American Petroleum Institute), who underscores the scale of the challenge: “The scale of America’s energy need is breathtaking… we’ll need to dedicate about 51 GW just to data centres.” This framing captures how U.S. investors and policymakers are racing ahead by letting markets lead.


By contrast, China’s model is built on integration. Energy Considered’s tracked experts point to AI capacity being woven tightly into high-voltage grid expansion and nuclear planning under central direction. Bassam Fattouh (Oxford Institute for Energy Studies) framed it clearly: “Energy policy is now shaped by security and affordability imperatives.” These voices demonstrate how Beijing’s “sovereign AI-energy” strategy is not just policy but national identity.

Compute and Consequences: Aligning AI Ambitions with Power Reality

AI’s data-centre boom wasn’t accidental; it was reframed by Energy Considered’s key opinion leaders, who cast “power as the new moat.”

Across Energy Considered’s network of 5,000 key opinion leaders. In Q1 2025, stakeholders’ groups of consultants and investment analysts mainstreamed the view that AI is critical infrastructure pushing grid capacity, interconnection queues, and siting from technical notes to executive priorities. Mentions of AI by Energy Considered’s tracked leaders reached 854 in Q1, underscoring its deep imprint on energy policy and investment. The IEA projects global electricity demand from data centres will more than double by 2030, with AI workloads driving most of that surge. Already, Northern Virginia faces seven-year connection delays, while Ireland and Germany report similar strains. Jason Bordoff, from Academic Institutions, warned: “Winning that race [with China] is going to require that we increase electricity generation capacity in the U.S. really fast… this bill makes that harder by throwing sand in the gear to renewable energy.” Such “power realism” has set agendas.


By Q2 2025, the narrative shifted from risk to opportunity. Energy Considered’s spotlighted fund managers and market commentators normalised on-site gas as a bridge fuel while renewables and storage scale. “Even the large hyperscale’s are willing to turn a blind eye to their renewable goals… to get access,” noted tracked leader Kent Draper, CCO at IREN. At the same time, Energy Considered’s stakeholder groups of big-tech executives and academics moved nuclear from “someday” to “actively procuring.” With 2,600 GW of clean projects stalled in U.S. queues, these compromises gained traction. Mentions of AI jumped to 1,160 in Q2. Tracked policy entrepreneurs, converted narrative into action. In the U.S., pro-build voices championed fast-track orders for data-center and grid permits, tilting toward flexible, industry-led rules.

Unlock Full Access to this Insight

To continue reading this briefing and explore deeper insights, register for access to our Energy Insights Portal. Inside, you’ll find:

  • Extended editorial briefings with in-depth analysis and empirical data drawn from 5,000 of the world’s most influential commentators on the energy industry on key issues shaping the energy sector.
  • Monthly and quarterly data identifying and tracking how energy industry leaders are engaging with critical topics.
  • In depth research explaining why energy industry leaders are engaging with these key issues and providing the context and framework for further exploration.
  • Quantitative primary research conducted with responses from energy industry leaders on our panel, providing unique answers to the issues affecting the global energy industry.
  • Power BI dashboards offering dynamic exploration of 5,000 energy key opinion leaders, social and digital narrative analysed against 14 strategic and tactical energy industry metrics.
  • Expert interpretation of what these issues really mean to the industry and what decisions can be taken on the back of unprecedented empirical evidence.
See our Solutions Get in Touch

Please to access exclusive research and data-driven analysis.

Compute and Consequences: Aligning AI Ambitions with Power Reality - Quarter 2 2025

Case for tracking:

While Q1 highlighted AI’s integration in sectors like mining and energy, Q2 showed how supporting this growth became a policy and energy challenge, driving global competition and long-term strategic planning.

Artificial intelligence evolved from a tech trend to essential infrastructure, deeply embedded in industries like energy, mining, logistics, and finance. As AI adoption grew, so did its energy demands, with U.S. tech giants like Meta and Microsoft expanding hyperscale data centres and securing long-term clean energy deals, including nuclear.

The Trump administration prepared executive orders to fast-track power infrastructure, streamline grid access, and roll out an AI Action Plan to bolster U.S. competitiveness against China. In the Gulf, energy firms ramped up AI-driven digital transformation, fuelling demand for AI talent. Despite stock market volatility for major AI players, confidence in AI’s long-term industrial and economic impact stayed strong, increasingly tied to energy and infrastructure readiness.

Volume of Mentions from Energy Considered’s Key Opinion Leaders:

Unlock Full Access to this Insight

To continue reading this briefing and explore deeper insights, register for access to our Energy Insights Portal. Inside, you’ll find:

  • Extended editorial briefings with in-depth analysis and empirical data drawn from 5,000 of the world’s most influential commentators on the energy industry on key issues shaping the energy sector.
  • Monthly and quarterly data identifying and tracking how energy industry leaders are engaging with critical topics.
  • In depth research explaining why energy industry leaders are engaging with these key issues and providing the context and framework for further exploration.
  • Quantitative primary research conducted with responses from energy industry leaders on our panel, providing unique answers to the issues affecting the global energy industry.
  • Power BI dashboards offering dynamic exploration of 5,000 energy key opinion leaders, social and digital narrative analysed against 14 strategic and tactical energy industry metrics.
  • Expert interpretation of what these issues really mean to the industry and what decisions can be taken on the back of unprecedented empirical evidence.
See our Solutions Get in Touch

Please to access exclusive research and data-driven analysis.