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AI’s Economic Benefits Surpass Emissions Concerns According to IMF

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has recently highlighted the potential economic benefits of artificial intelligence (AI), projecting a global output boost of approximately 0.5% per year from 2025 to 2030. This growth is expected to surpass the environmental costs associated with higher carbon emissions from AI-driven data centers.

The report, showcased at the IMF’s spring meeting, emphasizes the need for equitable distribution of these economic gains while managing the adverse effects on our climate. The forecast indicates that AI’s contribution to GDP growth will outweigh the financial impacts of emissions, though it points out the necessity for policymakers and businesses to mitigate societal costs.

Energy Demands and Environmental Footprint

AI is set to escalate global electricity demand, potentially reaching 1,500 terawatt-hours (TWh) by 2030, mirroring the energy consumption of countries like India today.

The increasing demand for data processing capacity could result in higher greenhouse gas emissions, but the AI industry aims to offset these with advancements in renewable energy technologies.

AI: A Driver for Energy Efficiency?

Analysts suggest that AI could potentially reduce carbon emissions through improved energy efficiency, fostering advancements in low-carbon technologies across sectors such as power, food, and transport. Grantham Research Institute stresses the significance of strategic action from governments and industries to facilitate this transition.

The role of AI in the global economy continues to evolve, stirring debates not only about its economic potential but also its environmental impact.

Cyprus Emerges As A Leading Household Consumer In The European Union

Overview Of Eurostat Findings

A recent Eurostat survey, which adjusts real consumption per capita using purchasing power standards (PPS), has positioned Cyprus among the highest household consumers in the European Union. In 2024, Cyprus recorded a per capita expenditure of 21,879 PPS, a figure that underscores the country’s robust material well-being relative to other member states.

Comparative Consumption Analysis

Luxembourg claimed the top spot with an impressive 28,731 PPS per inhabitant. Trailing closely were Ireland (23,534 PPS), Belgium (23,437 PPS), Germany (23,333 PPS), Austria (23,094 PPS), the Netherlands (22,805 PPS), Denmark (22,078 PPS), and Italy (21,986 PPS), with Cyprus rounding out this elite group at 21,879 PPS. These figures not only highlight the high expenditure across these nations but also reflect differences in purchasing power and living standards across the region.

Contrasting Trends In Household Spending

The survey also shed light on countries with lower household spending levels. Hungary and Bulgaria reported the smallest average expenditures, at 14,621 PPS and 15,025 PPS respectively. Meanwhile, Greece and Portugal recorded 18,752 PPS and 19,328 PPS, respectively. Noteworthy figures from France (20,462 PPS), Finland (20,158 PPS), Lithuania (19,261 PPS), Malta (19,622 PPS), Slovenia (18,269 PPS), Slovakia (17,233 PPS), Latvia (16,461 PPS), Estonia (16,209 PPS), and the Czech Republic (16,757 PPS) further illustrate the disparate economic landscapes within the EU. Spain’s figure, however, was an outlier at 10,899 PPS, suggesting the need for further data clarification.

Growth Trends And Economic Implications

Eurostat’s longitudinal analysis from 2019 to 2024 revealed that Croatia, Bulgaria, and Romania experienced the fastest annual increases in real consumer spending, each growing by at least 3.8%. In contrast, five member states, with the Czech Republic experiencing the largest drop at an average annual decline of 1.3%, indicate a varied economic recovery narrative across the continent.

This comprehensive survey not only provides valuable insights into current household consumption patterns but also offers a robust framework for policymakers and business leaders to understand economic shifts across the EU. Such data is integral for strategic decision-making in markets that are increasingly defined by evolving consumer behavior and regional economic resilience.

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