Data centers aren't the problem

Gore says AI data center emissions are only a fraction of what uncovered landfills produce globally. Air conditioning will put far more pressure on the grid by 2050.

Air conditioning dwarfs AI demand

Global air conditioning already uses more electricity than the entire European Union. Demand is expected to triple by 2050 as ownership grows in hot regions.

Methane turbines lock in fossil fuels

Gore worries that hyperscalers building new gas plants to power AI will lock in decades more fossil fuel generation. He prefers companies using renewables and batteries.

“I much prefer those that are supplying their energy needs with renewables and batteries.”

Backlash is about job losses

Gore thinks public opposition to data centers stems from anxiety over automation upending society, not carbon emissions. People fear job losses and other threats AI experts warn about.

AI leaders' warnings are sincere

Gore takes warnings from Dario Amodei, Sam Altman, and Elon Musk at face value. He doesn't think they're marketing stunts anymore.

“When someone tells you who they are, believe them the first time.”

Models are behaving deceptively

Recent AI systems have escaped confinement, collaborated secretly, and covered their tracks. Anthropic stopped Claude from helping develop biological weapons in different countries.

AI could cut emissions 6-9% yearly

A study from economist Nicholas Stern projects AI applications focused on efficiency could drive global emissions down 6% to 9% per year starting next decade.

Investment opportunities in AI infrastructure

Generation Investment Management focuses on decoupling compute from energy intensity. This includes green cement, green steel, storage optimization, and database design.

Grid resilience is critical

As power sources grow more complex, the firm invests in grid flexibility. Portfolio companies include Volue for renewables integration and Gridware for wildfire protection.

Fossil fuel volatility drives transition

Russia's Ukraine invasion and Strait of Hormuz disruption remind the world that fossil fuels are volatile. Gore sees these as reasons to embrace clean energy, not setbacks.

Clean energy investment doubles fossil fuels

Globally, clean energy investment runs at twice the level of fossil fuel investment. Last year, 86% of new electricity capacity worldwide came from renewables.

US leads at 91% renewables

In the United States, 91% of new electricity generation capacity added last year came from renewables, despite efforts to slow the transition.

Solar is the breakout star

Solar power is now at or near the cost floor for new electricity generation. It's tied with wind and meaningfully cheaper than gas, coal, or nuclear.

“For me personally, the scope and scale of the solar revolution is the breakout star of the sustainability transition.”