UN Chief Says AI Firms Should Disclose The Energy Powering Their Systems
The UN secretary-general has urged artificial intelligence companies to share information about the power used to run their models, linking AI's rapid growth to energy demand and data-centre transparency.
Rajan Mehta
Writer ·

The UN secretary-general has called on artificial intelligence companies to share information about the energy used to power their systems, the Associated Press reported.
The comments connect the rapid expansion of AI with rising energy demand, greater transparency and the environmental footprint of the data centres that underpin the technology.
Background
The growth of large AI models has driven a surge in data-centre construction and electricity use, prompting scrutiny over how much power the sector consumes and where that energy comes from.
Campaigners and policymakers have increasingly pushed for companies to disclose consumption figures, arguing that without transparency it is difficult to assess the true climate cost of the AI boom.
What happens next
The intervention adds momentum to calls for clearer reporting standards, though whether major AI firms will voluntarily publish detailed energy data remains an open question.
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