Elon Musk has warned that the global energy infrastructure could face a collapse within 30 to 36 months due to the increasing pressure from artificial intelligence systems. He proposed a plan that includes moving part of the computing capacity into space through one million small satellites powered by solar energy. The idea sparked debate among scientists, who cautioned about the risks of overcrowding Earth’s orbit and increasing space debris, while experts stressed the need to invest in alternative energy sources.
This came during an extensive interview Musk gave on the “Cheeky Pint” podcast hosted by John Collison, where he offered a candid assessment of the risks facing technological infrastructure.
Musk said, “My prediction? Within 30 to 36 months, we will run out of power… remember my words… you can’t scale beyond this here,” explaining that AI’s energy consumption is outpacing the ability of current grids to adapt, which could lead to widespread power outages threatening the continuity of essential digital services.
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