The AI Revolution Needs a Clean Energy Revolution

By Maya Baireddy, 2025 Governor's STEM Scholar

AI is everywhere now. From ChatGPT helping with homework, to TikTok’s algorithm curating our For You pages, artificial intelligence is becoming part of daily life, but here’s the catch: AI uses way more energy than you think. A single ChatGPT query uses ten times as much electricity as a Google search. As a high school student, learning AI is essential to my future, as it is rapidly integrating into every industry. At the same time, my generation faces climate change as one of its biggest challenges. Our increasing reliance on AI and the fight against climate change seem contradictory—yet they don’t have to be. To fully embrace AI while reducing environmental harm, we must invest in clean energy.

AI is already transforming industries, from revolutionizing medicine with AlphaFold’s advances in treating diseases like malaria and Parkinson’s, to helping combat climate change. As AI adoption skyrockets, so does its energy consumption. Because of this, data centers are expected to increase their power usage by 160% in the next few years. If these energy demands are met with fossil fuels, it will have detrimental environmental consequences. For Gen Z, this is especially alarming—we are inheriting a world where technology is advancing faster than our ability to manage its consequences. The solution? A reliable, clean energy source to power AI.

Fossil fuel consumption is the leading cause of global temperature rise, with the UN reporting that it produces over 75% of greenhouse gas emissions.  According to Zero Carbon Analytics, over 500 studies have linked greenhouse gas emissions to extreme weather events by warming the atmosphere.

For example, a UCLA study found that climate change intensified wildfires in Los Angeles, drying vegetation and fueling record-breaking fires that displaced 100,000 people and caused billions in damage. Meanwhile, hurricanes, floods, and droughts have surged nationwide. As young people, we are witnessing more extreme weather events than previous generations, making climate change feel less like a distant issue and more like an everyday reality. These disasters will only become frequent as AI-driven energy demands increase reliance on fossil fuels–unless we transition to clean alternatives.

It’s clear that America’s youth supports action on climate change. A recent America in One Room poll, found that two-thirds of first-time young voters believe the U.S. should aim for net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. Even more striking, about 80% of respondents supported "new generation" nuclear energy to supplement renewable power sources.

This data sends a powerful message: young adults understand that we need high-output, reliable clean energy to meet growing demand. If my generation is going to inherit the consequences of today’s energy decisions, we should also have a say in choosing solutions that will work. To power AI sustainably, we need a strong and reliable clean energy source. Nuclear power is the most viable option.

New Jersey already relies on nuclear energy, with its only one nuclear plant supplying nearly half of the state’s electricity and 85% of its carbon-free emissions. Nationwide, nuclear power prevents 14 billion metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions—the equivalent of removing three billion cars from the road. As a student in New Jersey, it’s surprising how few people talk about the role of nuclear energy in keeping our state powered cleanly. If we want a future where AI doesn’t contribute to climate disasters, we need to pay attention to solutions that already exist.

Nuclear power is very space-efficient, occupying less than one square mile, while producing far more energy than solar and wind. With recent advancements in scalable nuclear reactors, we can create smaller, AI-specific power sources that ensure clean, stable technology that will shape our future.

Some argue that nuclear power is too expensive compared to solar and wind. However, cost is only part of the equation. While nuclear power requires more upfront investments, it produces far more power than alternatives. According to the Department of Energy, a single nuclear reactor generates as much as 3.1 million solar panels or 431 wind turbines.

Additionally, wind and solar energy are unreliable dependent on weather conditions that can fluctuate unpredictably. In contrast, nuclear power plants operate continuously, making a more stable and effective solution for AI’s increasing energy demands.

Safety concerns surrounding nuclear energy also persist, often due to historical events like Chernobyl. However, data proves nuclear energy is one of the safest forms of power. According to the Global Change Data Lab, nuclear results in 99.7% fewer deaths than oil, and 97.6% fewer than gas. The fear surrounding nuclear disasters is largely disproportionate to its actual risks. Meanwhile, safety risks surrounding climate change continue to worsen, with the National Safety Council reporting a 20% rise in deaths and a 120% increase in injuries due to weather events since 2019.

The increasing energy needs of AI demand an urgent shift toward clean energy solutions.

AI has the potential to revolutionize medicine, science, and industry, but it must be powered sustainably to prevent catastrophic climate consequences. Nuclear energy offers the best path forward—a stable, high-output, carbon-free alternative to fossil fuels.

Gen Z has grown up with both AI and climate change, and we can’t afford to ignore the connection between the two. As we celebrate New Jersey STEM Month, let’s recognize that science and technology can solve our biggest challenges—but only if we invest in the right solutions. The choice is clear: by investing in nuclear energy, we are not only fueling AI’s growth but also securing a cleaner, more sustainable future.

Maya Baireddy is a sophomore at High Technology High School with a passion for robotics, AI, and space exploration. As a robotics competitor and researcher, she is dedicated to leveraging technology to solve real-world challenges, including the urgent need for clean energy to support the future of AI. Maya is also a 2025 Governor’s STEM Scholar.