AI Energy
People Think AI Will Use Nearly 20% of World Energy. Forecasts Say Under 1%
Estimated vs modeled AI share of global energy three years from now. Bain Sustainable AI Survey, Consumer Lab ESG Survey, and Intersect model
People Think AI Will Use Nearly 20% of World Energy. Forecasts Say Under 1%
Why it matters: Bain’s Intersect model forecasts AI will consume 0.7% of global energy in three years, but surveyed executives estimate about 11%—nearly 16× higher—and consumers average 19%, almost 27× the modeled share, revealing a massive perception gap on AI’s energy footprint.
View source →- Source
- Bain & Company
- Unit
- % of global energy (3yr)
- Data as of
- September 11, 2026
- Scope
- Bain Sustainable AI Survey, Consumer Lab ESG Survey, and Intersect model