Will energy decide the AI race? With Caroline Brown and Tom Cope

Will energy decide the AI race? With Caroline Brown and Tom Cope

Author: Deloitte UK July 14, 2026 Duration: 38:58

We use AI in a digital world - but its future may depend on the physical one.

Behind every prompt, agent and model, sits a system that needs to be built, funded and powered.

And as organisations and countries race to adopt AI, the demand for access is accelerating. So could a technology that's built to allow limitless thinking, end up limited by a country's network and ability to build?

Because the future of AI depends on compute capacity. That depends on infrastructure. And that depends on energy. And it's those elements which determine the price we all pay to use it.

Tune in to find out:

  • Why AI is creating a new race for energy and infrastructure
  • Why data centres could become a strategic resource
  • How energy-intensive AI could also help solve sustainability challenges
  • Why the future of AI depends on decisions being made today


This episode is part of The Green Room's series exploring the AI future for the UK. Listen to the full series now, starting with our 100th episode: What will be the last job on earth?

Visit our website to learn more about this topic and find suggestions for other episodes: deloitte.co.uk/greenroompodcasts

Secure your place at Deloitte's crucial national conference, UK Energy Transition: Building Resilience, Accelerating Delivery.

Find out more about AbilityNet, one of Deloitte's Social Impact partners: abilitynet.org.uk 

Guests: Caroline Brown, Partner in AI for Infrastructure and Sustainability at Deloitte, and Tom Cope, Partner in Deloitte's Infrastructure and Capital Projects team

Hosts: Oli Carpenter and Hannah Gowen
Original music: Ali Barrett

Recording date and location: London, 01.07.26


In The Green Room: Questions That Matter Most In Business, conversations move beyond surface-level trends to examine the underlying forces reshaping the commercial landscape. Hosted by Deloitte UK, this award-winning podcast creates a space where complex, pressing questions are met with clarity and depth. Every discussion is built around a single, significant inquiry, bringing in leading voices from across various sectors to unpack it. What you'll hear is not just commentary, but substantive strategic analysis and expert insights designed for leaders and professionals who need to understand the 'why' and the 'how'. The dialogue consistently returns to critical, interconnected areas like digital transformation, the practical implications of AI and technology, evolving leadership models, and the realities of the future of work. It also delves into core business strategy, the pathways to genuine innovation, and the urgent demands of sustainability and climate action. This podcast functions as a dedicated forum for thought leadership, where each episode provides a focused lens on the topics that define success and responsibility in modern business. The aim is to equip listeners with perspectives that are both broad and deeply relevant, turning abstract concepts into actionable understanding. It’s a resource for anyone looking to engage with the substantive ideas that are currently challenging and changing organizations worldwide.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

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