A new report from the International Energy Agency (IEA) shows that $580 billion will be spent globally on AI data centers in 2025 alone. This is $40 billion more than will be spent on new oil supplies — leading us to conclude that data centers are the new oil fields. But is this a net positive for the environment or just a different kind of resource drain?
On TechCrunch’s Equity podcast, Kirsten Korosec, Anthony Ha, and Rebecca Bellan dig into what this spending shift means for the energy grid, climate tech, and whether taxpayers should be footing the bill for Big Tech’s infrastructure ambitions.
Listen to the full episode to hear about:
The anti-AI disclaimer at the end of Pluribus
Israeli AI agent startup Wonderful’s massive $100 million Series A, and why customer service might be the killer app for AI agents
Swedish autonomous vehicle company Einride’s SPAC deal — yes, SPACs are back — and whether its electric truck business can carry the autonomous pod dream
Why OpenAI’s CFO walked back comments about government “backstops” for data center loans, and what the company is actually asking for from the CHIPS Act
The rise of government spyware targeting journalists and activists, and why mobile phone design makes it nearly impossible to detect
How China-backed hacking groups like Salt Typhoon are “pre-positioning for sabotage” in critical infrastructure worldwide
Disclaimer: This podcast was (also) made by humans
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@LiquidAIWater
November 16, 2025 at 6:55 pm
The reality is they are dumping these data centers anywhere they can secure cheap power without any consideration of local communities. They are ignoring the communities water and power needs and local politicians are clueless as to what future demand might be on these communities.
Unless AI wants an ugly backlash, there has to be a talk about geographical considerations that don’t put local communities at risk just because there is some cheap available electricity.
@ipolog
November 19, 2025 at 8:04 am
If site selection continues to focus solely on cheap power, the result will be stressed infrastructure and rising resistance at the local level. Long-term expansion depends on models where communities actually benefit instead of feeling burdened.