International Energy Agency to launch its own AI, energy observatory

ISTANBUL

International Energy Agency (IEA) Executive Director Fatih Birol announced on Tuesday that the agency will launch its own artificial intelligence (AI) and energy observatory in April.

Speaking at the AI Action Summit in Paris, he emphasized the critical need for reliable energy supplies for AI data centers.

"The countries that have electricity supplies that are secure, sustainable, affordable, they are one step ahead of the others," Birol said, noting that data centers are being built faster than the infrastructure required to power them, posing a significant challenge.

He said there must be collaboration between public authorities, energy firms, and technology companies.

Stressing the uncertainties surrounding AI and energy, he announced the creation of the agency’s observatory to analyze the electricity demands of data centers and evaluate the impact of artificial intelligence on energy technologies.

"AI data centers create new business models and give momentum to technologies such as nuclear power, including small modular reactors, or new geothermal energy technology," he said.

He added that the observatory's resources will be available to the public.

The Artificial Intelligence Action Summit was held in Paris under the co-chairmanship of France and India.

Birol congratulated French President Emmanuel Macron for bringing together leaders and companies for a constructive dialogue on AI.

He also noted that the world's largest data center is being built in India, and congratulated Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.