When we think about energy demand, we should think about social utility. Yes, AC will increase energy demand but it is also necessary to save lives. AC has social utility. Hyperscaled data centers do not. We should prioritize one (AC) over the other (AI slop)
Air conditioners are our best bet in the fight against extreme heat – whether we like it or not
Global AC demand will inevitably accelerate as the world continues to warm amid the climate crisis
theguardian.com