Computers that run on heat not electricity could power future AIs
AI is getting incredibly energy hungry and that's a problem for companies trying to keep their costs and carbon emissions in check, so people are looking for solutions.
Key takeaways
- ChatGPT, an AI model developed by OpenAI, has been praised for its ability to learn complex language capabilities.
- By harnessing heat as a power source, these computers could offer a more sustainable solution for energy-intensive tasks such as language processing.
- Further development in heat-driven computing could lead to more energy-efficient and sustainable AI systems, benefiting both the environment and the broader adoption of AI.
Cite or link to this article
Griffin, M. (2023) 'Computers that run on heat not electricity could power future AIs', 311 Institute, 26 August. Available at: https://www.311institute.com/computers-that-run-on-heat-not-electricity-could-power-future-ais/ (Accessed: 1 October 2026).
As Artificial Intelligence (AI) models use ever increasing amounts of power researchers are exploring the possibility of using heat instead of electricity to power computers running AI algorithms. This alternative approach is aimed at reducing the energy consumption of AI systems like ChatGPT, which currently consumes a significant amount of energy.
ChatGPT, an AI model developed by OpenAI, has been praised for its ability to learn complex language capabilities. However, its energy consumption has raised eyebrows, with some estimates suggesting it consumes as much energy as over 30,000 households in the US on a daily basis.
The University of Geneva’s Nicolas Brunner suggests that utilizing heat as the energy source for AI systems, whether that’s using waste heat or other forms of heat recycled from the computer systems themselves, could potentially address this issue. Heat-driven computers have the potential to run algorithms powering neural networks and AI, while significantly reducing energy usage.
By harnessing heat as a power source, these computers could offer a more sustainable solution for energy-intensive tasks such as language processing. This innovation has the potential to make AI technologies more environmentally friendly and efficient.
Although this research is still in its early stages, it holds promise for the future of AI technology. Further development in heat-driven computing could lead to more energy-efficient and sustainable AI systems, benefiting both the environment and the broader adoption of AI.
Overall, the exploration of heat-driven computers as an alternative to electricity-powered systems showcases the ongoing efforts to create greener technologies. The potential energy savings and improved environmental impact of heat-driven AI systems highlight the importance of sustainable innovation in the field of artificial intelligence.
What this means for your organisation
AI energy use is a real risk.
Some estimates say ChatGPT uses as much energy each day as over 30,000 US households. That puts pressure on costs and carbon targets. Leadership teams that run or buy large language models should treat power as a core business input.
Heat could become the power source.
Nicolas Brunner at the University of Geneva suggests waste heat, or heat recycled from the computers themselves, could drive AI algorithms. The research is at an early stage. Treat it as a signal to watch, not a plan to buy into.
Act on waste heat today.
Energy recuperation, which catches energy that would be wasted, is a mature technology with a wide use date of 2030. Thermal storage such as conductive energy systems is at an earlier stage. Together they show where your own data centres could start cutting waste.
Three questions for your next leadership meeting
- How much energy do our AI workloads use, and who owns that number?
- Where does waste heat leave our sites, and could we recover it?
- Which energy-efficient computing research should we track over the next few years?
The trends and technologies behind this story
From the 311 Starburst, the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit’s map of the technologies and trends shaping the next 50 years.
Analysis by the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit, from Matthew Griffin’s article and 311 data. First published on Fanatical Futurist.
FAQ
Why does this matter?
AI is getting incredibly energy hungry and that's a problem for companies trying to keep their costs and carbon emissions in check, so people are looking for solutions.
About the author
Matthew Griffin Founder, President and Futurist, 311 Institute
Matthew Griffin is a multi-award winning Futurist and expert in Disruption and Innovation, Geopolitics, Leadership, and Technology, who NASA have described as a "walking encyclopaedia of the future" and a "futurist Polymath."
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Matthew Griffin is a multi-award winning Futurist and expert in Disruption and Innovation, Geopolitics, Leadership, and Technology, who NASA have described as a "walking encyclopaedia of the future" and a "futurist Polymath." 17-time best selling author of the "Codex of the Future" series, Matthew is the Founder, President and Futurist of the 311 Institute, a global Futures and Deep Futures advisory firm working with royal households, world leaders, G7, G20, and G77 governments, NGOs, and multi-national mid and mega cap firms to help them explore, shape, and lead the next 50 years of business and society.
An award-winning YouTube creator with over a million followers, with an unrivalled global reach and impact, Matthew is a highly sought-after international keynote speaker, lecturer, and mentor who collaborates with global leaders through the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) and United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) to shape pivotal initiatives such as the UN’s AI for Humanity programme, the United Nations Conference of the Parties (UN COP), and the World Economic Forum in Davos.
As the former Global Head of Cloud, National Security, and Enterprise Sales for companies including Atos, Dell-EMC, and IBM, Matthew has a proven track record of building multi-billion dollar business units and turning failing divisions into market leaders. His ability to identify, analyse, and communicate the implications of hundreds of emerging technologies and trends is unparalleled, and his insights are trusted by many of the world’s most respected organisations, including ABB, Accenture, Adidas, AON, ARM, BCG, Centrica, Citi, Coca-Cola, Dentons, Deloitte, Dow Jones, EY, Google, KPMG, Lego, Legal & General, LinkedIn, Microsoft, PepsiCo, Qualcomm, RWE, Samsung, Siemens AG and Siemens Energy, T-Mobile, UBS, VISA, Walmart, Workday, Worldpay and many others.
Regularly featured in the global media including the AP, BBC, Bloomberg, CNBC, Discovery, Forbes, Khaleej Times, Telegraph, TIME, ViacomCBS, WIRED, and the WSJ, Matthews mission is to help organisations create a fair and sustainable future whose benefits are shared by everyone irrespective of their ability, background, or circumstances.
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Source: first published by the 311 Institute on 26 August 2023. Cite as: Griffin, M. (2023). Computers that run on heat not electricity could power future AIs. 311 Institute. https://www.311institute.com/computers-that-run-on-heat-not-electricity-could-power-future-ais/
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