Naomi Klein warns of AI and fossil fuel industry alliance

In their new book, ‘End Times Fascism’, Naomi Klein and Astra Taylor argue that the rapid expansion of artificial intelligence is creating a symbiotic relationship with the fossil fuel industry. They contend that the massive energy and water requirements of AI data centers are driving increased demand for electricity, often sourced from gas, coal, or oil when renewable energy cannot meet the load.

Klein describes this phenomenon as a fusion of ‘Big Tech and Big Oil’, suggesting that the AI boom provides a new market for fossil fuel producers. For example, to power the ‘Colossus’ supercomputer in Memphis, Tennessee, for Elon Musk’s xAI, operations have utilized methane gas turbines. Analysts suggest that the growth of data centers could improve gas prices and lead to increased drilling activity by 2025.