Global Conference on Energy & AI

Artificial intelligence (AI) is emerging as one of today’s most important technologies – and its impact on the energy sector could be transformative. Innovation is taking place rapidly, and new use cases are emerging every day. The sector is already applying artificial intelligence to improve how energy is produced, consumed and distributed – making the operation of complex systems, such as the electricity sector, more secure, efficient and sustainable. At the same time, expanding AI and the digital economy requires huge data centres that run on electricity. Although their energy use today is small in the context of the global energy system, demand has increased rapidly in recent years and is expected to keep growing. Considering the implications of the AI revolution is therefore critical to understanding the future of energy.

The International Energy Agency (IEA) has long been at the forefront of understanding the links between the energy sector and digitalisation, and as the only global agency tracking all fuels, technologies, sectors and geographies, it is uniquely placed to analyse the connections between AI and energy. To explore the opportunities and challenges ahead, the IEA is launching a major new initiative: Energy for AI, and AI for Energy. As part of this initiative, the IEA will consult with governments, industry, researchers and civil society experts. A major milestone will be the Global Conference on Energy and AI, organised in Paris on 5 December.

Attendance is by invitation only. More details to follow.