AI surge to drive 50% spike in data center power demand by 2027

Global data center power use could soar 50% by 2027, fueled largely by AI workloads, Goldman Sachs Research reports. AI’s share of data center energy demand may nearly double, rising to 27%, while traditional workloads decline. Meeting this surge could require $720 billion in new energy infrastructure, with natural gas poised to shoulder most of the load—raising fresh concerns over emissions, grid strain, and whether AI’s boom risks becoming a bubble.