The power needs of massive AI data complexes are rapidly driving up electricity bills — piling onto the rising prices for food, housing and other essentials already straining consumers. That’s starting to have economic and political reverberations across the country as utilities and local officials wrestle over how to divvy up the costs of data centers. 

According to a Bloomberg News analysis, wholesale electricity now costs as much as 267% more for a single month than it did five years ago in areas located near significant data center activity.

• AI is already wreaking havoc on global power systems.
• It could also be making your power worse… 
• …And draining water from areas that need it most.
• Listen to today’s Big Take podcast, where host David Gura talks to Bloomberg reporters Josh Saul and Leonardo Nicoletti about the AI boom’s impact on power bills.

You've got questions about AI. We've got answers. Sign up for Q&AI with Shirin Ghaffary.

Unlock the full experience; enjoy unlimited reading on Bloomberg.com and the Bloomberg app. Subscribe today for a limited-time rate of $399 $149/first year.