Bitcoin vs. AI: The Unholy Alliance Over Power

Bitcoin and artificial intelligence are two of the most prominent technologies of recent years. While Bitcoin offers an alternative financial system, AI promises to transform work, science, and everyday life.

In terms of energy consumption, both technologies have become major players in the global power landscape. According to the Cambridge Centre for Alternative Finance, the Bitcoin network consumes around 138 TWh of electricity annually, equivalent to roughly 0.5% of global consumption.

However, public and political attitudes toward their power needs remain vastly different. While AI is viewed as a necessary driver of technological progress, Bitcoin has faced years of criticism and restrictions due to its energy consumption.

The construction of AI infrastructure has driven the growth in data center power demand, with the International Energy Agency (IEA) predicting that global data center electricity consumption will more than double by 2030. The main driver of this growth is expected to be artificial intelligence.