The rapid expansion of artificial intelligence and data centers is creating an unprecedented surge in electricity demand across the United States. This growing need for reliable energy is straining the nation's aging power grids, with Schneider Electric SE predicting a potential electricity crisis this decade. By 2028, the amount of available electricity during peak times may not be sufficient to meet demand, potentially leading to significant capacity shortfalls of up to 175 gigawatts by 2033. This looming power crunch could severely impact the country's AI capabilities and lead to widespread outages. In response to this escalating energy demand, Japan's Osaka Gas Co. is actively planning further investments in US gas-fired power plants. President Masataka Fujiwara noted the difficulty of building new facilities due to a global shortage of gas turbines, leading the company to explore existing assets. Osaka Gas already holds stakes in US power generation, including the Independence Pipeline Co. and the Calcasieu Pass LNG export facility, underscoring their commitment to addressing the energy needs driven by the proliferation of data centers and population growth in the US. The financial world is also keenly observing AI's trajectory. AI stocks linked to OpenAI are currently experiencing a market rally, a reversal from previous trends that favored Google and its partners. Wedbush Securities analyst Dan Ives suggests that many major tech players, not just Nvidia, stand to benefit from the trillions expected to be invested in AI over the coming years. The US government, recognizing AI's critical role in national security, recently awarded contracts worth up to $200 million to OpenAI, Google, Anthropic, and xAI to integrate AI into warfighting strategies. The White House has also launched the 'Genesis Mission' to develop new AI-powered weapons systems, indicating a deep governmental interest. This strong governmental interest extends to potential intervention; should AI companies face financial instability, the US government could invoke the Defense Production Act of 1950 to ensure critical supplies or even seize company assets. Meanwhile, the broader implications of AI are prompting new initiatives and raising serious ethical questions. Major publishers, including Arena Group, BuzzFeed, USA Today Co., and Vox Media, have joined the Really Simple Licensing (RSL) Collective. This group aims to standardize how AI systems license and pay for content, pushing back against uncompensated scraping by AI crawlers. The nature of generative AI, such as ChatGPT, is also under scrutiny. Experts suggest that rather than "hallucinating," large language models predict the next word based on learned patterns, effectively creating "multiversal" or plausible alternate realities. However, the misuse of AI carries severe consequences, as demonstrated by the arrest of Justin Maloy in Peachtree City. Maloy faces 49 counts of sexual exploitation of children for allegedly using AI software to digitally alter actual photographs of a child into pornographic material, highlighting that AI use does not diminish the gravity of such crimes under Georgia law. Beyond these challenges, AI continues to offer significant benefits. In oncology, AI is proving invaluable by helping doctors match cancer patients to suitable clinical trials, a process often hindered by complex criteria. Cleveland Clinic, for instance, is partnering with a company to leverage AI-based technology, aiming to increase the less than 10% of adult cancer patients who currently participate in trials. Furthermore, AI and network effects are crucial forces shaping the next generation of successful consumer software, as discussed by Chris Dixon and Anish Acharya, emphasizing how niche communities can drive massive technological shifts.
Key Takeaways
- The US faces a potential electricity crisis by 2028, with a projected 175 gigawatt shortfall by 2033, driven by AI and data center demand.
- Osaka Gas plans to invest in US gas-fired power plants, seeking existing assets, to meet the growing energy needs for AI and data centers.
- The US Defense Department awarded contracts up to $200 million to OpenAI, Google, Anthropic, and xAI for integrating AI into warfighting.
- OpenAI-linked AI stocks are rallying, indicating a positive market trend for a broader range of tech companies beyond Nvidia.
- Publishers like Arena Group, BuzzFeed, USA Today Co., and Vox Media formed the RSL Collective to license content to AI systems and prevent uncompensated scraping.
- Generative AI, like ChatGPT, creates "multiversal" or plausible alternate realities by predicting words, rather than "hallucinating."
- AI is being used in oncology to help match cancer patients to clinical trials, with Cleveland Clinic partnering to improve patient access.
- A man was arrested for using AI software to create child sexual abuse images, emphasizing that AI use does not change the criminal nature of such material.
- The US government could use the Defense Production Act of 1950 to ensure critical AI supplies or seize company assets if AI firms face financial trouble.
- Exponential forces like Moore's Law and network effects, along with niche communities, are key drivers for successful consumer software products.
Osaka Gas CEO plans US power plant investments for AI demand
Osaka Gas CEO plans to invest in more US gas-fired power plants. This decision comes as the growth in artificial intelligence and data centers is causing a large increase in demand for reliable energy. The company sees a significant need for electricity in the United States. This information was reported on November 26, 2025.
Osaka Gas seeks US power plants due to AI energy needs
Japan's Osaka Gas Co. plans to invest in more US gas-fired power plants. The boom in artificial intelligence and data centers is creating a huge demand for reliable energy supply. President Masataka Fujiwara stated they are looking at existing assets because building new facilities is hard due to a global shortage of gas turbines. He noted that many data centers are being built in the US, causing an electricity shortage, with population growth also increasing energy demand. Osaka Gas already has investments in US power generation, including a stake in the Independence Pipeline Co. and the Calcasieu Pass LNG export facility.
AI chatbots create plausible alternate realities
The article discusses how generative AI, like ChatGPT, creates information, using the TV episode 'Wordplay' as an example. In 'Wordplay', people use familiar words in unfamiliar ways, similar to how AI can present unexpected information. Large language models (LLMs) do not 'hallucinate' or believe false information. Instead, they predict the next word based on learned patterns, creating fictional but believable realities. The author suggests 'multiversal' is a better term than 'hallucination' for AI's tendency to present fabricated information, as it creates alternate, plausible realities.
Man used AI to create child sexual abuse images
Peachtree City Police arrested 42-year-old Justin Maloy for using AI software to create child sexual abuse images. Maloy allegedly took actual photographs of a child, aged 12 to 19, and digitally changed them into pornographic material. He faces 49 counts of sexual exploitation of children. Authorities emphasize that using AI does not change the crime, as the images are still considered child sexual abuse material under Georgia law. Police seized Maloy's phone and other electronic devices, finding thousands of photos, but do not believe there are additional victims. Maloy has been released on bond, and the investigation continues.
Publishers join RSL to license content for AI
Major publishers like Arena Group, BuzzFeed, USA Today Co., and Vox Media have joined the Really Simple Licensing (RSL) Collective. This group aims to standardize how publishers license their content to AI systems and get paid. RSL wants to stop AI crawlers from scraping publisher websites without compensation or permission. Publishers can add machine-readable terms to their robots.txt files, including licensing and royalty terms. The RSL Collective now has over 50 partners, including Yahoo and Reddit, and is working with Fastly to allow licensed scraping. While there is no direct enforcement yet, the collective hopes its size will encourage AI companies to comply.
AI helps cancer patients find clinical trials
A podcast episode from November 26, 2025, discusses how artificial intelligence is being used in oncology. Dr. Dale Shepard and Dr. Jame Abraham explain AI's real-world uses in clinical documentation and matching patients to trials. Currently, less than 10% of adult cancer patients in the US join clinical trials, often due to the complex criteria. Cleveland Clinic is partnering with a company to use AI-based technology to help doctors identify patients who might be eligible for specific trials, making the process much easier.
How AI and networks make consumer products succeed
This November 26, 2025 podcast episode explores the forces shaping the next generation of consumer software. Chris Dixon, a16z crypto founder, and Anish Acharya discuss what makes consumer products successful. They explain how exponential forces like Moore's Law, composability, and network effects help determine which products win. The conversation also covers how tools can evolve into networks and how niche communities can trigger massive technological shifts.
US power shortage threatens AI capabilities
The US faces a potential electricity crisis this decade, according to Schneider Electric SE. The growing demand from artificial intelligence and data centers is straining the country's aged power grids. Schneider Electric estimates that by 2028, the amount of electricity available during peak times will not be enough to meet demand. They predict a capacity shortfall of up to 175 gigawatts by 2033, which could lead to outages and blackouts. This looming power crunch could significantly harm the country's AI abilities.
OpenAI linked AI stocks see a market rally
AI stocks connected to OpenAI are currently rallying, which reverses a recent market trend. Previously, the common trade was to favor Google and its partners while betting against companies linked to OpenAI. Today, the OpenAI-linked group is performing well, which is a positive sign for the overall market. Wedbush Securities analyst Dan Ives noted that many big tech players will benefit from the trillions expected to be spent on AI in the coming years, not just Nvidia.
Government could take over AI companies
The Defense Department awarded contracts worth up to $200 million to OpenAI, Google, Anthropic, and xAI to integrate AI into warfighting. This shows the government views the AI industry as crucial for national security, even if its financial 'bubble' might burst. The White House also announced the 'Genesis Mission' to use AI for new weapons systems. If AI companies face financial trouble, the US government could use the Defense Production Act of 1950. This law allows the government to ensure critical supplies or even seize control of company assets and operations, as seen in past uses during crises.
Sources
- Osaka Gas CEO Eyes US Power Plant Investments on AI-Driven Demand
- Osaka Gas Targets US Power Plant Investments on AI-Driven Demand
- Welcome to the Slopverse
- Peachtree City man accused of using AI to create child sexual abuse images
- Arena Group, BuzzFeed, USA Today Co, Vox Media join RSL’s AI content licensing efforts
- Artificial Intelligence in Oncology (Podcast)
- AI, networks, and what makes consumer products win
- Looming US Power Crunch to Impair AI Abilities, Schneider Says
- AI stocks linked to OpenAI are rallying in a reversal of recent trends
- How To Expropriate An Artificial Intelligence Oligarchy
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