The Hidden Energy Crisis Behind Artificial Intelligence

SuperLife with Darin Olien

Darin Olien

Activism, Motivation, Environment, Education, Self-improvement, Fitness, Wellness, Health, Alternative Health, Health & Fitness

4.8 • 1.4K Ratings

🗓️ 17 July 2025

⏱️ 27 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

What if the digital revolution that’s “changing the world” is actually draining it?
In this eye-opening solo episode, Darin pulls back the curtain on the massive, often-ignored energy and environmental costs of artificial intelligence. From water-hungry data centers to electricity loads that rival entire nations, Darin breaks down how our reliance on AI is colliding with our fragile global infrastructure—and what it means for humanity’s future.

But this isn’t a fear-fest. It’s a wake-up call and a rallying cry. Darin reveals why he’s more optimistic than ever about the clean energy technologies already being deployed—technologies that could power the future without destroying it. If you care about the planet, your health, and what kind of world we’re building, this one’s for you.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

00:00 – What’s powering AI? Not magic—massive electricity
01:45 – Are we building a smarter world… or a less livable one?
03:15 – Why most modern systems are imploding by design
04:30 – The overlooked energy load behind AI and data centers
06:45 – 1,287 megawatts… to train just one AI model
07:30 – Global data centers are using 2% of all electricity
08:10 – Water: AI’s other resource you didn’t think about
09:30 – 700,000 liters of water to train a model?!
10:45 – The moral dilemma: Should AI take priority over food and water?
12:00 – Communities paying the price as bills and emissions rise
13:30 – Are we spending billions to make machines smarter while humans suffer?
15:45 – This isn’t about bashing AI—it’s about using it right
17:00 – Darin’s personal friends in real clean energy innovation
18:30 – Infinite power sources exist—we just need to scale them
20:00 – Why you don’t see these real innovators on social media
21:45 – AI is here to stay—but what kind of AI will we build?
23:30 – Clean power, social justice, environmental restoration—all possible
25:00 – The systems are failing, but we don’t have to
26:30 – You don’t have to sell your soul to technology
27:30 – Darin’s ultimate message: optimism, agency, and alignment

Thank You to Our Sponsor:

Our Place: Toxic-free, durable cookware that supports healthy cooking. Use code DARIN for 10% off at fromourplace.com.
Bite Toothpaste: Go to trybite.com/DARIN20 or use code DARIN20 for 20% off your first order.

Find More from Darin Olien:

🌱 Instagram: @darinolien
🎙️ Podcast: SuperLife with Darin Olien
📘 Book: Fatal Conveniences
💻 Website: Superlife.com

Key Takeaway:

“The future isn’t being built by machines. It’s being built by our choices. We can use these tools to accelerate justice, wellness, and restoration—or we can watch the old systems collapse. Either way, the choice is ours.” – Darin Olien

Transcript

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0:00.0	Welcome to Super Life with me, Darren O'Lean, a podcast where we explore, discover, and share
0:09.4	solutions that promote a healthier life and a better world.
0:13.4	Together will ignite possibilities, inspire change, and build sovereignty, creating a roadmap
0:20.4	towards a super life for you and for all.
0:24.6	Get ready to start living your super life.
0:32.1	One of the biggest questions I get constantly is, Darren, where can I find the best non-toxic cookware?
0:40.5	Listen, I don't mess around with things that go ultimately in my body.
0:45.9	And that includes what I cook with.
0:47.8	That's why I swear by our place.
0:51.2	Because from day one, they've been committed to making clean healthy non-toxic cookware
0:57.8	and kitchenware no sketchy coatings no forever chemicals just pure conscious design that are beautiful
1:06.0	as well as highly functionalable i've been using their titanium always pan for months now.
1:13.8	It's the only pan I cook with and here's why. Pure titanium, non-toxic Phaust-free, extremely durable,
1:23.4	metal utensils, high heat, dishwasher safe, and this is the thing.
1:28.3	This thing can handle it all.
1:30.3	All in one performance, the best stainless steel cast iron nonstick in a single pan.
1:36.3	And here's the real kicker. Most nonstick pans, they're still loaded with PIFOS,
1:43.3	these forever chemicals that break down in your
1:46.0	body and stay in your body and they accumulate over time. We just don't need that. They disrupt the gut
1:53.3	microbiome, testosterone, dysregulation, metabolic issues, hormone imbalances, immune dysfunction,
2:00.0	and chronic inflammation they contribute to.
2:02.5	Think about it. Every time you cook, you could be introducing toxins into your body. And the simple
	...

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