20 Years After ‘An Inconvenient Truth,’ Al Gore Grapples With the (Big) Wrinkle of Artificial Intelligence

Former Vice President Al Gore, in an interview with Inside Climate News from Nashville, Tennessee, expressed his belief in humanity's ability to overcome climate change but highlighted new challenges posed by the artificial intelligence boom. Gore discussed the exponential surge in energy consumption associated with AI data centers, citing the "Project Marvel" development in Bessemer, Alabama, as a concerning example. This project faces near-universal resident opposition due to its potential to clear hundreds of acres of agricultural land and consume 1,200 megawatts of electricity annually, increasing Alabama Power's statewide demand by 10 percent. Gore acknowledged the issue's gravity but cautioned against panic, noting that while some utilities, like Alabama Power, may rely on dirty energy, other tech companies and utilities are committed to renewables. He pointed to major tech companies such as Google, Amazon, Microsoft, and Meta, which accounted for a significant portion of clean power purchase agreements globally in 2025. While curbing overall electricity demand from AI data centers may be difficult, Gore advocated for incentives that encourage tech developers to co-locate renewable energy production at data center sites. He referenced Maine's legislature, which passed a data center moratorium that was subsequently vetoed by Governor Janet Mills, indicating his preference for incentives over outright bans. Gore also highlighted a London School of Economics study suggesting AI tools could potentially reduce carbon emissions by increasing efficiencies in grid management, food production, and transportation, potentially offsetting their energy costs. However, he emphasized that this positive outcome is not inevitable without active public policy, a sentiment echoed by reports from the International Energy Agency. Gore also touched upon the political dimensions, expressing empathy for residents whose concerns are dismissed by public officials prioritizing tax revenue and jobs. He attributed this to political processes heavily influenced by money and fossil fuel interests, particularly in Southern states, and criticized the Trump administration's environmental stance. Despite these political barriers and challenges to democracy, Gore maintained hope, stressing that with available technology, failure to address the climate crisis is not an option for future generations.