While discussions around data centers and artificial intelligence often revolve around consuming energy, there's another side to the coin: energy savings. Widespread adoption of AI is expected to help a wide range of industries reduce their energy use.

Details: The International Energy Agency published its AI and Energy report in April and highlighted how many industries stand to benefit from the adoption of AI.

Industries have traditionally been slow to change, but AI can help them adopt smarter, leaner operations. Among the most promising applications:

• Optimization: Tools using AI can analyze manufacturing lines in real-time, adjusting equipment settings to use less energy without sacrificing output. It can be used to help balance electrical networks, which are growing in size and complexity.
• Predictive maintenance: AI systems monitor equipment for early signs of wear or inefficiency, instead of wasting energy on machines that are about to fail.
• Supply chains: Algorithms can optimize logistics and inputs, like raw materials, minimizing excess production or transport, which in turn reduces fuel and electricity use.

According to the IEA, widespread adoption of AI can lead to energy savings equivalent to Mexico’s total energy consumption today.

Read the full report: Energy and AI