From Paradox to Progress A Net Positive AI Energy Framework 2025

Executive summary Artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping industries, unlocking new efficiencies and accelerating innovation. Yet, its rapid growth brings rising energy demands that risk straining infrastructure, undermining competitiveness and offsetting climate gains. In some regions, rising data centre demand has contributed to higher electricity prices for households and businesses, underscoring the importance of aligning AI growth with affordability and public acceptance. By 2035, global data centre electricity use could exceed 1,200 terawatt-hours (TWh), up from 420 TWh in 2024.4 Without strategic intervention, AI could become a hidden contributor to system stress and climate risk. Managing AI’s energy impact is no longer a future concern – it is a present tense innovation imperative. Net-positive AI energy means ensuring that the energy and resource savings enabled by AI outweigh its life cycle consumption – turning responsible scaling into a source of competitiveness and resilience. While AI can optimize energy use across sectors, its growth must align with system capacity and sustainability goals. The question is not whether AI will grow, but whether it will do so responsibly and in step with the energy transition. The net-positive AI framework is built around three action drivers: Design for efficiency Deploy for impact Shape demand wiselyThese are supported by three strategic enablers: Consumer education and workforce upskilling Ecosystem collaboration Transparent measurement and accountability Together, they form a coherent blueprint for aligning AI’s growth with energy, economic and climate goals. The framework draws on over 130 real- world use cases from more than 15 countries, showcasing how organizations are already realizing benefits such as cost savings, grid reliability and carbon dioxide (CO2) reductions. The stakes are high. Transformer shortages, delaying power connections5 and infrastructure bottlenecks are emerging across regions.6,7 Without intentional design and governance, AI could deepen digital divides and concentrate capacity in energy- rich regions, leaving others behind. Yet, the opportunity is clear. AI can significantly reduce data centre cooling energy use,8 improve heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) efficiency,9,10 and optimize grids, logistics and industrial processes.11,12,13 Companies that embed efficiency into AI design are seeing measurable gains in performance, resilience and sustainability. This report offers a strategic blueprint for executives, policy-makers and technology leaders to scale AI responsibly. By aligning business goals with sustainable energy outcomes, organizations can accelerate progress towards net-positive AI energy, turning responsible design into a source of lasting competitive advantage. Achieving a net-positive AI energy outcome demands intentional stakeholder alignment on AI’s growth with energy efficiency, resilience and sustainability. From Paradox to Progress: A Net-Positive AI Energy Framework 5