AI could consume as much energy as a small country (Netherlands) by 2027 The rise of AI powered tech has been phenomenal over the past year, but with the explosion in its popularity the energy costs needed to support these services have also risen rapidly.  AI uses much more power than more traditional tech and a new study in the journal Joule suggests that AI tech could use as much energy as a small country, like the Netherlands or Sweden, by 2027.  The accuracy of the prediction needs to be questioned as tech firms don’t disclose enough data for a conclusive assessment, but as more firms embrace AI solutions, energy consumption will increase.  We speak to the author of the study, Alex de Vries.     Data Unions  Reporter Shiroma Silva investigates the growing power of data unions or co-operatives. These are groups run by trusted moderators who gather members’ data and sell it to carefully chosen buyers. The group member can benefit financially as well as wield some control over their data. Without the union, the data that we generate is often sold to third parties without our knowledge or consent. Shiroma looks at how people around the world are taking back some control over their data.   The programme is presented by Gareth Mitchell and the studio expert is Issie Lapowsky. Find a Story + Make it News = Change the World.   For new episodes, subscribe wherever you get your audio.  If you like Somewhere On Earth rate and review it.     More on this week's stories:  The growing energy footprint of artificial intelligencehttps://www.cell.com/joule/pdf/S2542-4351(23)00365-3.pdfSwash apphttps://swashapp.io/Unbanx https://www.linkedin.com/in/alanmcdonald1/ Shiroma Silvahttps://www.linkedin.com/in/shiromasilva/?originalSubdomain=uk   The Team Audio by Keziah Wenham-Kenyon and Stevie Arnoldi at Lansons Team Farner. Production Manager is Liz Tuohy. Support the showEditor: Ania LichtarowiczProduction Manager: Liz Tuohy Recording and audio editing : Lansons | Team Farner For new episodes, subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.Follow us on all the socials: Join our Facebook group Instagram Twitter/X If you like Somewhere on Earth, please rate and review it on Apple PodcastsContact us by email: hello@somewhereonearth.coSend us a voice note: via WhatsApp: +44 7486 329 484Find a Story + Make it News = Change the World