Artificial intelligence (AI) promises to cut energy use, speed the shift to renewables and curb emissions, yet its early deployment typically raises national demand for power and CO₂ emissions. Analysing data for 23 middle- and high-income countries, we find AI first lifts energy consumption and emissions, then flips direction as investment deepens. Beyond roughly US$220–580 in annual AI spend per capita, emissions fall and the share of clean electricity rises, forming a ‘Green AI Kuznets curve’. Singapore and the United States have already passed this threshold, illustrating the dividend of coordinated policy, finance and transparent energy reporting for sustainable global growth.

Authors
Angel Melguizo, Raul Katz & Juan Jung