Google Uses Artificial Intelligence on Servers to Slash Electricity Bill

In 2014, Google used more than 4.4 million MWh of electricity—equivalent to the annual consumption of 367,000 homes.

Now the company is saving serious money on its giant electricity bills by using the artificial intelligence software developed by DeepMind, a firm it acquired for approximately $600 million. Power usage in Google data centers is now 15% more efficient.

DeepMind software, famous for teaching itself how to play Atari videogames, will save Google hundreds of millions of dollars every year. The AI controls more than 100 variables in Google’s data centers now, including cooling systems and windows.

And since DeepMind is AI, it will eventually be able to make suggestions to Google on how to further improve efficiency by adding sensors.