Humanity’s Best Friend: The Dog, AI, or Beer – and How Much Energy Do They Consume?

I am working on a new book with Harvey Castro, MD, MBA. and Alan Smithson on the state of Technology by 2030.

I will include a chapter on the topic of Energy in 2030. I am working on how to communicate the understanding of Energy and use. Here is one subchapter that may be included. Hope you enjoy it.

?Humanity’s Best Friend: The Dog, AI, or Beer – and How Much Energy Do They Consume?

What do dogs, AI, and beer have in common? They all bring joy, they all demand attention, and they all require energy—lots of it. But in a world where every kilowatt-hour matters, it's worth asking: which of these beloved companions is the most energy-hungry? And, more importantly, does it even matter? Whether it’s an AI that helps write poetry, a dog wagging its tail at the front door, or an ice-cold beer after a long day, people tend to happily invest energy in the things they love. So, let’s dive into the numbers and see just how much energy each consumes—and whether we mind.

Dogs: Furry, Friendly, and Always Hungry

Dogs might not understand calculus, but they do consume energy—mostly in the form of food. On average, a 20-kg dog requires about 365,000 kcal per year, which translates to roughly 424 kWh of energy annually. With 89.7 million dogs in the U.S., that adds up to around 38 TWh per year in energy consumption—just from food!

The energy impact of dogs is fascinating because it’s distributed across homes rather than concentrated in facilities like data centers. While AI models make noise in server farms, dogs bark in every neighborhood across the country, using up energy in the form of meat-based kibble and the occasional treat (or six).

Unlike AI, dog energy consumption is stable—our furry friends don’t get software updates or become “Dog 2.0” versions needing exponentially more kibble. Their needs are consistent, but with millions of mouths to feed, their overall footprint adds up. And let's not forget the energy required to produce, package, and ship all those chew toys and cozy beds.

AI: The Brainiac That Never Sleeps

AI is undeniably impressive but comes with a sizable energy bill. In 2023, AI applications were responsible for consuming around 10-20% of global data center electricity. Given that data centers collectively used approximately 460 TWh of electricity in 2022 (2% of global electricity use), AI’s share would come to about 46-92 TWh per year.

Breaking it down further:

One ChatGPT query consumes 2.9 watt-hours—that’s the energy it takes to brew about half a cup of coffee.

Training GPT-3, one of the more advanced language models, consumed 1,300 MWh of electricity—roughly the same amount of energy an average American household uses in 120 years.

GPT-4’s training run? Multiply that energy bill by 50. Ouch.

AI also demands more energy for cooling. Specialized server racks for AI workloads consume much more power than traditional ones, needing constant cooling to keep from overheating. The result? AI data centers become modern-day energy hogs, and they show no signs of slowing down. But hey, they’re helping us write emails, predict weather patterns, and identify new planets—so, worth it?

Beer: The Liquid Gold with a Heavy Energy Footprint

After a long day of programming AI or walking the dog, many people unwind with a cold beer. But brewing that delicious beverage also takes energy—lots of it. Estimates suggest that the U.S. alcohol industry consumes somewhere between 350-500 TWh of energy annually. To put that into perspective, that’s roughly as much energy as some major manufacturing industries.

Where does all that energy go?

Agriculture: Growing hops, barley, and other grains requires energy, though it’s relatively modest compared to later stages.

Production and Distillation: This is the most energy-intensive part. Brewing, distilling, fermenting—each step guzzles energy.

Packaging and Distribution: Transporting beer, especially in glass bottles, adds significant emissions. Shipping those six-packs across the country isn’t exactly energy-efficient.

Interestingly, despite its energy consumption, the alcohol industry is under pressure to become more sustainable. Initiatives like energy-efficient breweries, carbon offsets, and recyclable packaging are beginning to make a difference. But let's be real: most people probably aren’t giving up beer anytime soon—sustainability or not.

Comparison: Who’s the Energy Guzzler?

So, let’s compare the numbers for the US:

·?????? Dogs in the U.S.: 38 TWh per year

·?????? AI: 46-92 TWh per year (and rapidly increasing).

·?????? Alcohol industry: 350-500 TWh per year

While these numbers aren’t exactly apples-to-apples comparisons (AI energy is electrical, dog energy is food-based, and beer is a whole process), they give us a rough idea of where our energy goes. AI’s energy consumption is growing fast, dogs provide companionship with relatively stable energy use, and the beer industry keeps people happy but at a significant energy cost and brain cells.

The Moral of the Story: Energy Spent on Joy Is Energy Well Spent

At the end of the day, whether we’re spending energy on AI, dogs, or beer, the real takeaway is that people are happy to consume energy on the things they love or find useful. The energy that goes into training a state-of-the-art AI might seem excessive, but if it solves problems, writes poetry, or helps diagnose diseases, most of us would say it’s worth it. Similarly, feeding 89.7 million dogs might seem like a luxury, but for the people whose lives are made better by their furry companions, it’s an easy trade-off. And let's not forget beer—a staple of social life. Whether it’s a cold one shared at the end of a long week or the centerpiece of a friendly gathering, beer brings joy.

In a world increasingly focused on energy efficiency, we can’t ignore the importance of happiness or usefulness. Energy used wisely isn’t just about cutting costs—it’s about enriching lives. We don’t mind investing energy in the things that matter to us, be it AI, beloved pets, or a refreshing pint. After all, life is about balance—and sometimes that balance means enjoying a beer with your dog after a hard day of AI research.