A new United Nations University report finds that global data centers consumed 448 terawatt-hours of electricity in 2025, more than all but 10 countries. That energy use produced about 208 million metric tons of CO2, roughly equal to Argentina's emissions. The report warns that data center power demand will nearly double by 2030 as AI grows, reaching 935 terawatt-hours and 440 million metric tons of CO2. The report highlights that AI already drives about 20% of data center energy use, projected to rise to 40% by 2030. A single ChatGPT query uses about 200 times more energy than a basic spam filter. The authors note that efficiency gains often lead to more total energy use, a classic rebound effect. They also call for greater transparency from companies about data center operations and energy sources.
