Feed me!
About those AI behemoths
AI image generated by Wallpaper Creator
WHILE I WAS waiting for the water to boil in my electric kettle, I prompted the artificial intelligence (AI) platform Perplexity to get some information on its power needs. Before the kettle was done with the water, AI was done with the “research.” I wish I could tell Denis Diderot about it, but he’s been dead for a long time now. In seconds, here’s what the machines told me:
Prompt No. 1: Stated as a percentage of total electrical power generated in the U.S., how much is consumed by the artificial intelligence industry?
The artificial intelligence industry in the US consumes a significant and rapidly growing share of the nation’s total electrical power. The most recent estimates, including official projections from the U.S. Department of Energy and the Energy Information Administration, indicate:In 2023, data centers—which are the backbone of AI computers—used about 4.4% of the total US electricity.By 2025, this share is expected to rise further due to rapid AI growth.Projections for 2028 suggest data centers (driven in large part by AI workloads) could consume 6.7% to 12% of total US electricity.
Well how about that? But wait…
Prompt No. 2: How will AI demand for electricity be met?
In summary: The US will meet AI-driven electricity demand through a mix of new power generation, grid upgrades, flexible management of AI workloads, increased efficiency, rapid adoption of renewables, and smarter regulatory processes. The situation is dynamic, and ongoing investment and planning are needed to ensure sustainable, reliable power in the face of AI’s unprecedented growth.
Ah, there’s a plan! But wait…
Prompt No. 3: Does nuclear energy factor into future U.S. energy production?
Nuclear energy is set to play a major role in the future of US electricity production, especially as demand spikes from industries like artificial intelligence and data centers.
In summary, nuclear energy is increasingly viewed as an indispensable part of America's strategy to meet soaring electricity demand, especially for sectors like AI that require massive, 24/7 clean power. Current policy, investor trends, and planning reflect a strong, renewed commitment to scaling nuclear power over the next several decades.
Well, that’s pretty cool, I said to myself as I took the first sip of coffee. Imagine the time it would take our great librarians to discover the same information. Well, two things about that: 1, Few libraries would have the requested information in printed form, and 2, Librarians today are very expert at using LLM (large language models) to store and retrieve information.
I wonder what Diderot would think about that. He always wanted a nice fat volume of carefully edited facts that would serve as a resource for scholars. And he worked very hard on his project — nearly 30 years! His work was central to the Enlightenment, which despite its name has helped bring us to artificial intelligence. He had no ability even to imagine what might become of his tireless work. A couple of hundred years later we can imagine handing him an iPhone 15 Pro and saying, “Here Denis; ask Perplexity.”
But AI is power hungry, as AI has informed me this morning. With its insatiable appetite for electrical power (and maybe power in general), AI is a bit like that giant plant in Little Shop of Horrors, saying “feed me” until there’s nothing more to eat. How are we information gluttons going to feed the beast?
Clean energy invariably comes up, and it is often scoffed at by people, mostly men, who see much greater significance in burning things, mostly coal and natural gas, and not in renewable energy like softie liberal types prefer. But aren’t renewables providing more and more of our power?
Prompt No. 4: Hey Perplexity — Stated as a percentage of the total how much electrical power is aGENerated by renewables in the U.S.? (How about that? It even forgives my typos!)
As of mid-2025, renewable energy sources generate approximately one-third (32.8%) of the total electrical power in the United States. This includes wind, solar (utility-scale and small-scale), hydro, biomass, and geothermal power. In April 2025 alone, renewables provided almost a third of total U.S. electrical generation, and their share continues to grow, approaching the output from natural gas (35.1%) and significantly outpacing coal and nuclear energy. Wind and solar combined accounted for 20.3% of the total in the first four months of 2025, and all renewables together reached a record contribution in April.
Well, now I’m even more proud of those solar panels on my roof. In my beloved Old Guys Coffee group that meets each Wednesday, we politely discuss, among many other things, the energy problems of the world, and I almost always brag about my solar panels. But what about the future of nuclear? We discuss that, too, and generally have three positions, which I can summarize:
- 1. Nuclear is GREAT!! (By the way, this is pronounced” new-KU-lar” by the Old Guys with this opinion.)
- What are we supposed to do with radioactive NUCLEAR WASTE, HUH SMARTY? (Pronounced “NU-klee-er” by this group)
- Pluses and minuses. (Pronounced “NEW - clurr” by this group.
As a former journalist who deeply admires fair play, I will say that I am coyly in both camps, although I prefer three syllables to two (NU - klee - er).
Fine and dandy, but what would The Beast think?
Prompt No. 5: Yo, Perp; What is the proper pronouciashun of “nuclear”?
The proper pronunciation of "nuclear" in American English is /ˈnuː.kliː.ɚ/, pronounced as "NEW-klee-er." In British English, it is pronounced /ˈnjuː.klɪər/, as "NYOO-klee-uh." The word has three syllables: "nu," "kle," and "er." The pronunciation "NEW-kyu-lar" (sometimes spelled as "nucular") is considered incorrect by many dictionaries and usage guides, although you may hear it from native speakers, including prominent public figures. (Notice that no names are used.)
To pronounce "nuclear" correctly:
Begin with "NEW" (like "new" or "do")
Then "KLEE" (as in "clean")
End with "ER" (as in "her" for US English or "uh" for UK English).
Thank you, Professor Perp.
But is there some place in art or literature or comic books that we can get some ideas? If Artificial Intelligence is a beast hungry for electrical power and for power in general, can we just turn to “Little Shop of Horrors” for metaphorical guidance?
Nice thought, but I can’t remember how that movie ended.
Prompt No. 6: Dude, pop this in your little electron brain: How dos little shiip of horrirs end?
"Little Shop of Horrors" has two main endings, depending on whether you’re referring to the original stage musical, the film’s director’s cut, or the theatrical release of the 1986 movie.
Theatrical (Happy) Ending (1986 Film): Seymour is able to destroy Audrey II by electrocuting the monstrous plant. He and Audrey survive, get married, and move to the suburbs. However, the final shot hints at lingering danger, with a small Audrey II sprout appearing in their yard.
Original/Director’s Cut Ending (Stage Musical and Initial Film Version): Audrey II attacks and fatally wounds Audrey. Before dying, she begs Seymour to feed her to the plant so he can achieve his dreams. Seymour then tries to kill Audrey II but fails and is eaten too. After that, a businessman spreads clones of Audrey II around the world, resulting in the plants taking over the planet and destroying humanity, sometimes shown with giant Audrey IIs rampaging through cities, including the Statue of Liberty scene. This ending is much darker and serves as a cautionary tale for greed and the consequences of deals with the devil.
Who wants a dark ending? Let’s just wipe out the Greedy Beast with a gigantic blast of electrons! Who needs a Greedy Beast to tell us how to think?
Prompt No. 7: Who neds a gredy beast to tell us how to think?
ARE YOU STILL LISTENING!!!???
The idea of a "greedy beast" telling us how to think—whether it's a character like Audrey II from "Little Shop of Horrors" or an unchecked artificial intelligence—raises valid concerns about autonomy and influence.
Nobody truly needs an overpowering or insatiable entity controlling thoughts or decisions. People value guidance, tools, and informative perspectives, but only when provided transparently and ethically, not from something that pressures, manipulates, or overrides human judgment. Healthy societies prioritize critical thinking, individual agency, and open debate rather than submission to a single, dominating authority—especially one driven by selfish or unchecked motives.
I think I’ll have a second cuppa.