Melanie Nakagawa
Coverage of Melanie Nakagawa in the Nexus archive.
- The AI boom tests the limits of growth
The AI industry's rapid growth is driving unprecedented electricity demand, with Google's consumption rising over 140% from 2021 to 2025. Tech companies like Google, Microsoft, Amazon, and Meta are improving energy efficiency but face scrutiny over whether environmental and financial costs justify AI model expansion. Experts debate if large-scale AI models deliver sufficient benefits to offset resource demands.
- Microsoft’s emissions surged 25% in 2025 during data center boom
Microsoft's carbon emissions increased by 25% in 2025 due to new data center construction and a pause in renewable energy credit purchases. The company acknowledged the tension between AI infrastructure growth and sustainability goals but emphasized continued commitment to refining strategies.