How Google, Microsoft And Amazon Are Racing To Solve The AI Energy Crisis

Big Tech is in the midst of a spending spree on new, creative ways to make energy in the U.S., as AI drives data center power demand through the roof. Start-ups focusing on hydrogen, small nuclear reactors, fusion, and even geothermal are getting hundreds of millions from the likes of OpenAI’s Sam Altman, Microsoft, Google and Amazon. But China is outspending the U.S. in some areas, and the efficiency breakthroughs of DeepSeek have cast doubt on energy needs. CNBC went behind the scenes at two companies creating energy in unusual ways - and talked to the heads of four more - to see how they work, and ask if an AI power crisis could finally help realize the elusive dream of low-carbon, scalable, affordable energy. Chapters: 0:00 Introduction 2:42 Surging 24/7 needs 5:42 Hydrogen hopes 8:19 Nuclear resurgence 13:03 Geothermal and solar Produced and shot by: Katie Tarasov Edited by: Matthew Soto Additional Camera: Magdalena Petrova Additional Reporting: Jordan Novet Senior Director of Video: Jeniece Pettitt Animation: Mallory Brangan Editorial Support: Erin Black Additional Footage: ECL, Exowatt, Fervo Energy, Getty Images, Google, Helion, Last Energy, Oklo » Subscribe to CNBC: https://cnb.cx/SubscribeCNBC » Subscribe to CNBC TV: https://cnb.cx/SubscribeCNBCtelevision About CNBC: From 'Wall Street' to 'Main Street' to award winning original documentaries and Reality TV series, CNBC has you covered. Experience special sneak peeks of your favorite shows, exclusive video and more. Want to earn some extra money on the side? Take CNBC’s new online course How to Start a Side Hustle to learn tips to get started and strategies for success from top side hustle experts. Pre-register now and use coupon code EARLYBIRD for an introductory discount of 30% off $97 (+taxes and fees) through April 1, 2025: https://cnb.cx/4gPqi2y Connect with CNBC News Online Get the latest news: https://www.cnbc.com/ Follow CNBC on LinkedIn: https://cnb.cx/LinkedInCNBC Follow CNBC News on Instagram: https://cnb.cx/InstagramCNBC Follow CNBC News on Facebook: https://cnb.cx/LikeCNBC Follow CNBC on Threads: https://cnb.cx/threads Follow CNBC News on X: https://cnb.cx/FollowCNBC Follow CNBC on WhatsApp: https://cnb.cx/WhatsAppCNBC #CNBC #AI How Google, Microsoft And Amazon Are Racing To Solve The AI Energy Crisis