Latest news with #LargeLanguageModels
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
The AI revolution is likely to drive up your electricity bill. Here's why.
New Jersey residents got some bad news earlier this year when the state's public utilities board warned that their electricity bills could surge up to 20% starting on June 1. A key driver in that rate hike: data centers. The spread of these large-scale computing facilities across the U.S. amid growing demand for artificial intelligence, data storage and other technology services is projected to increase electricity consumption to record highs in the coming years, according to experts. A report from Schneider Electric, a company that specializes in digital automation and energy management, projects that electricity demand will increase 16% by 2029, mainly due to the proliferation of data centers. Most data centers rely on the nation's electrical grid for energy, meaning it will be Americans ratepayers who pick up the tab, Mark Wolfe, executive director of the National Energy Assistance Directors Association, a group that represents states on energy issues. "As utilities race to meet skyrocketing demand from AI and cloud computing, they're building new infrastructure and raising rates, often without transparency or public input," he told CBS MoneyWatch in an email. "That means higher electricity bills for everyday households, while tech companies benefit from sweetheart deals behind closed doors." More data centers, more power Thousands of data centers now dot the country, with the largest concentrations in Virginia, California and Texas. The number of data centers in the U.S. nearly doubled between 2021 and 2024, according to a report from Environment America, a network of environmental groups. It's not just the number of data centers that are expected to rise, but the size. "The trend has been bigger data centers," Dave Turk, the former deputy secretary of the U.S. Department of Energy, told CBS MoneyWatch. "They tend to be more energy efficient." Spurring that expansion is the rapid growth of "generative" AI companies that are consuming vast amounts of electricity to train so-called Large Language Models like ChatGPT and power. AI searches use 10 times more electricity than normal internet searches, according to a study from the Electric Power Research Institute, a nonprofit organization. "AI is an increasing part of data centers and certainly responsible for increased electricity demand," Turk said. Data centers, which contain thousands of computer servers, networking gear and other infrastructure, also require power to cool their systems and keep them from overheating. Torsten Sløk, chief economist at asset management firm Apollo Global Management, estimates that data centers will require an additional 18 gigawatts of power capacity by 2030. To put that into context, New York City power demand is about 6 gigawatts. About 4.4% of U.S. electricity went to power data centers in 2023, according to a Department of Energy's Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory study. Not all of that demand is related to AI, but it represents a portion, Turk said. Other factors pushing up prices The spread of data centers isn't the only reason U.S. electricity prices are surging. The price of natural gas, inflation, ongoing electrification of buildings and vehicles, and other factors also play an important role. But utilities are factoring the high demand from data centers into their pricing models. For example, when Dominion Energy, one of the Virginia's largest utilities, in April proposed a price hike of $8.51 per month in 2026, the company also floated the idea of a "new rate class for high energy users, including data centers." Electricity prices have risen 4.5% in the last year, according to recent data from the Labor Department, and are estimated to surge this summer. Energy costs also drift higher if a Republican-backed budget package, dubbed the "big beautiful bill," is passed and signed into law by President Trump. Analysts from Rhodium Group predict that the bill, which would repeal a slate of tax credits created under the Inflation Reduction Act, could increase a family's energy expenditures by nearly $400 a year. Beyond price increases, the heightened energy demand from data centers could also compromise the reliability of the grid, according to experts. In a recent report, the North American Electric Reliability Corp said that facilities that service AI and cryptocurrency companies are being developed at a faster pace than the power plants and transmission lines to support them, "resulting in lower system stability. PJM, a grid operator in 13 states plus Washington, D.C., cited data center demand as one of the factors that could lead to capacity shortages in its 2025 forecast. Harry Chapin: Songwriter, activist and father How the U.S. Army was born Early details on arrest in Minnesota lawmaker shootings
Hans India
13-06-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
TGPSC, NALSAR host nat'l workshop on legal challenges
Hyderabad: State IT Minister D Sridhar Babu inaugurated a two-day national workshop of the public service commission being hosted by the NALSAR University of Law, Hyderabad, and Telangana Public Service Commission (TGPSC) on Legal Issues and Mitigation at Public Service Commissions (PSCs) at NALSAR Campus, on Thursday. The event brought together participation from 18 State PSCs, including 8 Chairpersons, 13 Members, 5 Secretaries, and 17 senior officials. Member UPSC, Dinesh Dasa, Santosh Gopal Ajmera, Joint Secretary; and Srikala, Under Secretary, also joined the deliberations. The workshop aims to address the growing litigation burden on PSCs and discuss effective legal mitigation strategies. Participants engaged in meaningful dialogue on existing court cases, legal precedents, and ways to reduce litigation through systemic improvements. Sridhar Babu lauded TGPSC's initiative to convene this national-level workshop, which enables PSC leadership to collectively explore legal challenges and work towards harmonized solutions for reducing litigations in recruitment processes. During the keynote address, Dr. Ajay Kumar, the Chairman of UPSC, emphasized the importance of leveraging Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Large Language Models (LLMs) to digitize the operations of Public Service Commissions. He noted that this would improve efficiency and help reduce recruitment disputes. Burra Venkatesham, Chairman of TGPSC, warmly welcomed the IT Minister and expressed gratitude to Dr. Kumar for his guidance and vision during the meeting. He highlighted that, although each Public Service Commission (PSC) operates independently and faces unique challenges, the workshop serves as a common platform for sharing experiences, learning from best practices, and collaboratively addressing legal complexities. On Day 1 of the workshop, four insightful panel discussions were conducted on significant topics, including the Nature of Litigation and Challenges for PSCs, Causes for Litigation in Public Service Recruitment, Judicial Insights and Compliance, and Mitigation Strategies at PSCs. Further discussions will continue on Friday, focusing on other prominent legal challenges.
The Sun
10-06-2025
- Automotive
- The Sun
AIngineer, Microsoft join forces to drive industrial AI
KUALA LUMPUR: AIngineer Sdn Bhd, a pioneering industrial AI venture incubated in PING23 Sdn Bhd or Petronas Innovation Garage (PING) has entered into a strategic collaboration with Microsoft, accelerating deployment of cutting-edge AI solutions across energy and heavy industries. Bringing together AIngineer's domain expertise in industrial AI with Microsoft's technological strengths, this collaboration will drive industrial AI innovation and commercialisation. This joint effort is poised to enhance operational efficiencies in the energy sector and contribute to the growth of Malaysia's digital economy. A MoU was recently signed between Microsoft Malaysia managing director Laurence Si and AIngineer CEO Lee Kian Seng, witnessed by Microsoft Malaysia general manager (Energy & Utilities) Datin Sharifah Shereeta Syed Sheh and AIngineer chief technology officer Crystal Lwi Xiau Jing, on the sidelines of the Microsoft AI Tour Kuala Lumpur. 'This collaboration with Microsoft is a pivotal milestone for AIngineer as we scale our solutions to meet the growing demands of a US$3.54 billion (RM15 billion) market for generative AI in the energy industry. By leveraging Microsoft's advanced cloud infrastructure, we are not only scaling with speed and security, but also enabling engineers to make smarter, data-driven decisions. Together, we are reshaping the future of engineering and building a foundation for more sustainable, resilient industrial operations,' said Lee. AIngineer is a unique AI co-pilot built by engineers for engineers, embedded directly into everyday workflow. Using state-of-the-art Large Language Models (LLMs) and Machine Learning (ML) algorithms, it augments engineers with deep technical knowledge and insights to enhance decision-making. Designed for complex industrial environments, AIngineer is a specialised industrial AI that integrates with technical databases and standards, enabling engineers to improve reliability, reduce diagnostic time, lower maintenance costs and preserve institutional knowledge. In recognition of its value, Petronas has entered into collaboration with AIngineer on various technical use cases to drive operational excellence. Si said, 'Malaysia is at the forefront of a profound industrial transformation, and AI stands as a critical catalyst in this journey toward a smarter, more efficient future. Through our collaboration with AIngineer, we are combining deep domain expertise with cutting-edge AI capabilities to help energy and heavy industries unlock unprecedented levels of operational efficiency, safety, and sustainability. With the general availability of Microsoft's first cloud region in Malaysia, this partnership reflects our commitment to supporting the nation's aspirations to become a regional AI leader. Together, we are not just transforming industries—we are contributing to the growth of Malaysia's digital economy and its position as a technology hub in Asia.' Meanwhile, PING CEO Zafirah Bahiyyah M Zulkifli commented, 'Teaming up with a global player like Microsoft is a strong endorsement of AIngineer's advanced technology capabilities and the innovation potential nurtured within Malaysia. As a venture incubated by the PING programme, this collaboration reflects our commitment to fostering impactful solutions that not only benefit the industry but also contribute to the nation's digital transformation. By creating a supportive ecosystem, we empower AIngineer and similar ventures to push boundaries and drive meaningful change that aligns with Malaysia's aspirations for growth and sustainability.' Beyond just the technical aspects, this collaboration will also focus on exploring strategies to commercialise AIngineer through Microsoft's extensive global network and established platforms, including Azure Marketplace and AppSource. By tapping into these channels, we aim to significantly expand AIngineer's industrial reach and adoption, enabling more industries to benefit from its cutting-edge AI capabilities. This strategic approach not only supports AIngineer's growth but also aligns with the broader vision of fostering innovation and digital transformation within Malaysia's energy and industrial sectors.
Time of India
10-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Zoho's Sridhar Vembu predicts what could happen if AI takes over coding, and techies become jobless
Zoho's Sridhar Vembu believes AI automation won't eliminate jobs but highlights potential economic challenges if governments fail to address income distribution. He suggests that while AI may lead to cheaper goods, the crucial issue is ensuring people can afford them without steady income. Vembu urges governments to tackle monopolies and focus on economic distribution rather than solely relying on technology. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads 'We are nowhere close to full automation' 'Breathing air costs us zero' Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads 'This is a political economy issue' AI's real-world impact still modest Separating the signal from the noise As conversations grow louder around artificial intelligence replacing human jobs, Zoho founder Sridhar Vembu has said the issue is not about jobs disappearing, but about how people will earn money in a system where machines do most of the work. In a recent post on X, Vembu explained that even if AI automates software development entirely, it does not mean people will have nothing to do.'On the subject of AI and jobs: Hypothetically, if all software development were to be automated — I want to emphasise that we are nowhere close to that goal — and all software engineers such as myself are out of work, it is not like human beings will have nothing to do,' he added that automation will lead to cheaper goods and services, which may appear positive on the surface. However, Vembu raised a bigger concern: how will people afford these goods if they don't have steady income?Vembu argued that the cost of many AI- and robot-made products could fall to almost nothing. 'The price of all the robot-made goods and all the AI-made and AI-supported software would drop massively and be close to zero or zero. Breathing air costs us zero and we don't complain about it,' he cheaper goods won't solve the problem, he said, unless income distribution is addressed. The challenge lies in ensuring that people continue to earn, even when fewer workers are needed due to it a 'problem of political economy,' Vembu urged governments to step in. 'This is fundamentally an economic distribution problem, a problem of political economy and not purely a technological problem. One key part is for governments to crack down on monopolies, particularly tech monopolies,' he noted that the discussion should move beyond the assumption that technology alone will define the future of also advised against giving in to hype around AI's ability to rapidly cut costs or jobs. Despite industry claims of major disruption, he pointed out that data suggests the actual impact of AI on employment and productivity remains cited a study by Anders Humlum and Emilie Vestergaard, titled Large Language Models, Small Labor Market Effects, which examined the use of AI, including chatbots, in Denmark. The research found that even with a rise in AI-related investment, there have been no major changes in job patterns or comments come at a time when AI is often seen as a force that will upend traditional work models. He called for a more balanced view and urged stakeholders to look at evidence before accepting extreme predictions. While acknowledging the advances in AI, he said its real effects on the job market are yet to match the level of attention the subject receives.
The Sun
09-06-2025
- Automotive
- The Sun
AIngineer, Microsoft Partner to Advance AI in Energy Sector
KUALA LUMPUR: AIngineer Sdn. Bhd., a pioneering industrial AI venture incubated in PING23 Sdn. Bhd. or PETRONAS Innovation Garage (PING) has entered a strategic collaboration with Microsoft, accelerating deployment of cutting-edge AI solutions across energy and heavy industries. Bringing together AIngineer's domain expertise in industrial solutions with Microsoft's world-class technology capabilities, this collaboration will drive industrial AI innovation and joint commercialisation. It is poised to enhance operational efficiencies in the energy industry and contribute to the growth of Malaysia's digital economy. The collaboration was formalised during a signing ceremony attended by senior leaders from AIngineer, Microsoft and PETRONAS, on the sidelines of the Microsoft AI Tour Kuala Lumpur. The event is set around the initiative of driving the next phase of Malaysia's AI transformation. 'This collaboration with Microsoft is a pivotal milestone for AIngineer as we scale our solutions to meet the growing demands of a $3.54 billion market for generative AI in the energy industry. By leveraging Microsoft's advanced cloud infrastructure, we are not only scaling with speed and security, but also enabling engineers to make smarter, data-driven decisions. Together, we are reshaping the future of engineering and building a foundation for more sustainable, resilient industrial operations', said Lee Kian Seng, CEO of AIngineer. AIngineer is a unique AI copilot built by engineers for engineers, embedded directly into everyday workflow. Using state-of-the-art Large Language Models (LLMs) and Machine Learning (ML) algorithms, it augments engineers with deep technical knowledge and insights to enhance decision-making. Unlike other generic generative AI solutions, AIngineer is a specialised industrial AI that integrates with technical databases and standards, enabling engineers to improve reliability, reduce diagnostic time, lower maintenance costs and preserve institutional knowledge. Recognising the capability and value of AIngineer's solutions, PETRONAS has entered into collaboration with AIngineer on proof-of- concept activities for different use cases. 'Malaysia is at the forefront of industrial transformation, and AI is a key catalyst in this journey. Through our collaboration with AIngineer, we are bringing together deep domain expertise and advanced AI capabilities to help energy and heavy industries unlock new levels of efficiency, safety, and sustainability. Aligned with the upcoming general availability of Microsoft's first cloud region in Malaysia, this collaboration reflects our commitment to supporting Malaysia's aspirations to becoming a regional digital leader,' said Laurence Si, Managing Director of Microsoft Malaysia. CEO of PING, Zafirah Bahiyyah Bt M Zulkifli commented, 'Collaboration with global player like Microsoft is a powerful testament to the advanced capabilities of AIngineer - a technology venture incubated by the PING programme. This reflects that with the right ecosystem, our venture can lead in delivering impact for the industry and the nation.' Beyond technical aspects, this collaboration also encompasses joint commercialisation of AIngineer through Microsoft's global network and platforms such as Azure Marketplace and AppSource, enabling wider industrial reach and adoption. In addition, AIngineer, Microsoft and PETRONAS will explore joint efforts in advancing AI technology leadership and incubating high-impact AI use cases under the Malaysia National AI Innovation Center initiative, spearheaded by the National AI Office (NAIO), EY and Microsoft. AIngineer is founded by Lee, who is the ADS Young Engineer of the Year and ADIPEC Young Changemaker of the Year award recipient. It has successfully deployed AI solutions for the energy and government sectors. AIngineer was also featured during the Malaysia National Artificial Intelligence Office (NAIO) launch and have received support from Malaysia Petroleum Resources Corporation (MPRC), Cradle Fund, Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI), Ministry of Digital and Parliament of Malaysia. For more information on PING, please visit
