As AI usage increases rapidly, there is a possibility of power supply shortages (blackouts) in the United States starting next year.

The growing use of AI could lead to power outages in the US and Canada after 2024, according to concerns. This prediction was made shortly after the release of iOS 18.2, which introduced many Apple Intelligence features online.

Artificial intelligence services (such as ChatGPT and Apple's private cloud computer servers) are expected to double data center power consumption in four years, making it difficult for power grids to adapt to this requirement.

The North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC), a non-profit regulatory body for the power generation industry, reported this.

The power grid in North America is facing warnings from industry monitoring agencies that its electricity production will be delayed to meet the rapidly rising demand from artificial intelligence, posing an "important reliability issue."

"This outage could result in blackouts during peak demand periods in both countries next year."

The power requirements are increasing at a speed unprecedented in history, according to a long-term reliability evaluation report published by NERC. This is mainly due to data centers providing AI services.

"This report aligns with predictions made by international energy institutions, estimating that data centers themselves could exceed 1 terawatt-hour by 2026, which is double the level of 2022."

The decline in fossil fuel power generation has delayed the addition of new renewable energy sources, making this challenge more severe.

NERC notes that the Midwest may be the first to be affected, but there is a possibility of severe power outages across almost all regions of North America over the next ten years.

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