Amazon and Nvidia recently addressed oil and gas executives in Oklahoma City, highlighting the need for an all-inclusive approach to powering artificial intelligence (AI) systems. The tech companies are exploring a variety of energy sources, including fossil fuels like natural gas, to meet the rising demand for AI-driven data centers. While both companies have historically invested in renewable energy to reduce their carbon emissions, they acknowledge that fossil fuels will be needed in the short term to power AI.
Kevin Miller, Amazon’s vice president of global data centers, explained that a mix of energy sources will be required for the foreseeable future to support the growing energy needs of AI. Although Amazon remains committed to reducing its carbon footprint and achieving net-zero emissions by 2040, Miller emphasized that the company’s immediate priority is ensuring reliable access to power. Amazon is the largest corporate purchaser of renewable energy and is also investing in advanced technologies like nuclear power and carbon capture, but these solutions will not be available until the 2030s. In the meantime, the company acknowledges that thermal generation, including natural gas, will play a role in meeting energy demands.
Nvidia’s senior director of corporate sustainability, Josh Parker, echoed similar sentiments, stressing the importance of securing power for AI development. While Nvidia is committed to minimizing its environmental impact, Parker stated that the company is keeping all energy options on the table to meet the power needs of its customers, whether they prioritize clean energy or not.
Anthropic, a key AI developer, is calling for realistic energy expectations in data center development. The company estimates that AI will require 50 gigawatts of new power by 2027, equivalent to the energy output of 50 nuclear reactors. While Anthropic sees this as an opportunity to explore new and innovative power sources in the long term, the use of coal was met with hesitation during the panel discussion. While former President Trump’s push to boost coal production has raised questions about its potential role in AI, the executives from Amazon and Nvidia did not directly address the issue.
The increasing demand for AI-driven technology is prompting a broader conversation about the energy mix needed to power data centers, with the tech industry now recognizing the critical role fossil fuels may play in the short term.
READ MORE: