Industry heavyweights from the energy and technology sector are set to take part in the first meeting of the UK’s new AI Energy Council to address the sustainability concerns of AI.

The Council’s main aim is focused on how the government’s clean energy superpower mission, and its commitment to advancing AI and compute infrastructure, can work together to deliver economic growth.

The Council is set to look at clean energy, like renewables and nuclear, advising on improving energy efficiency and sustainability in AI and data centre infrastructure, such as the use of water.

AI has been known to guzzle water to keep data centres cool – asking ChatGPT to write an 100 word email uses 519 millilitres of water – just over your average bottle. Ten to 50 queries from the chatbot uses about two litres of water, analysis says.

The council is also expected to take steps to ensure the secure adoption of AI across the UK’s energy network itself.

Established in January, the council will bring together expert insights on the energy demands of AI, as the UK plans on putting it front and centre of its drive for economic growth.

Concerns over the energy demands needed to power AI data centres is an issue faced by countries the world over.

The UK is trying to address this issue with its efforts including a focus on AI Growth Zones – dedicated hotbeds of AI development in areas which can access at least 500MW of power. Representing the equivalent of enough energy to power roughly two million homes, the government hopes this strategy will attract private investment from AI companies looking to get set up in the UK, as well as creating jobs.

It remains to be seen if these hotbeds will influence energy prices due to their requirements, or how these hotbeds will affect the UK’s net zero ambitions.

“The work of the AI Energy Council will ensure we aren’t just powering our AI needs to deliver new waves of opportunity in all parts of the country, but can do so in a way which is responsible and sustainable,” secretary of state for science, innovation, and technology, Peter Kyle said.

“This requires a broad range of expertise from industry and regulators as we fire up the UK’s economic engine to make it fit for the age of AI – meaning we can deliver the growth which is the beating heart of our Plan for Change.”

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The UK government has also been working with Ofgem and the National Energy System Operator to deliver reforms to the UK’s connections process. Subject to final signoffs by Ofgem, these reforms could release more than 400GW of capacity from the connection queue – accelerating projects vital to economic growth such as the delivery of new large scale AI data centres.

Joining the council are 14 organisations: EDF, Ofgem, National Energy System Operator (NESO), Scottish Power, National Grid, Google, Microsoft, Amazon Web Services, and chip designer ARM, and infrastructure investment firm Brookfield.

“We are making the UK a clean energy superpower, building the homegrown energy this country needs to protect consumers and businesses, and drive economic growth, as part of our Plan for Change,” secretary of state for energy security and net zero, Ed Miliband said.

“AI can play an important role in building a new era of clean electricity for our country and as we unlock AI’s potential, this Council will help secure a sustainable scale up to benefit businesses and communities across the UK.”