The UK government is calling for input on using AI in the energy sector and how it can ensure the technology supports decarbonisation, despite concerns about the power demands of AI data centres.
The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero released a call for evidence this week on its “vision” for an AI-enabled clean energy system, saying it wanted to identify barriers to adopting “beneficial” AI tools.
Junior Minister Martin McCluskey said the government’s role was to “ensure that deployment by market actors is facilitated where it delivers system value and constrained where risks are unacceptable so that AI deployment is safe, ethical and aligned with societal expectations.”
The publication comes as the government also aims to help new data centres overcome energy challenges with its AI Growth Zones, areas with lighter energy and planning restrictions for AI infrastructure projects.