The rapid rise of artificial intelligence (AI) is confronting a critical challenge: the energy demand for training advanced AI models is surging. A single model can consume more electricity than 120 U.S. homes use in a year. With projections indicating that data center energy demand could double before 2030, experts warn that current power grids are ill-equipped for this new industrial revolution. As AI’s energy needs escalate, the founder of Holiverse, Lado Okhotnikov, emphasizes the urgency of addressing this foundational crisis.
“The problem is becoming especially urgent now, as AI is advancing rapidly and its energy demands are growing just as fast,” Okhotnikov states. His work at Holiverse focuses on integrating human biology and technology, highlighting the importance of sourcing energy sustainably. He notes, “Even today, we must think about where we will source that energy without compromising people’s lives or existing industries.”
Many view renewable energy as the primary solution. Okhotnikov acknowledges the progress in this area, stating, “Renewable energy collected on Earth is no longer a fantasy: many countries are actively transitioning to it, and I hope this shift will only accelerate.” Wind, solar, and geothermal energy are essential components of this transition. Nonetheless, their limitations—such as geographical dependence, weather variability, and the absence of sunlight at night—pose significant challenges for a civilization reliant on a consistent, global AI ecosystem.
This scenario raises an important question: what comes next? For visionaries like Okhotnikov and a growing group of experts, the answer lies beyond Earth. “Very soon, we will have to look to space—because the future, without question, belongs there,” he asserts.
The concept driving this perspective is Space-Based Solar Power (SBSP). This technology envisions vast solar arrays positioned in geostationary orbit, where they can capture unfiltered sunlight 24 hours a day. These arrays would convert the energy into a format that can be transmitted wirelessly—using safe, low-intensity microwaves or lasers—to receiving stations on Earth. The outcome is a reliable, carbon-free power source that can be delivered globally.
This vision is not mere speculation. Organizations like the European Space Agency and NASA are actively conducting feasibility studies on SBSP. A report from 2025 suggested that such systems could provide a stable energy backbone that intermittent renewable sources struggle to offer. “The solar power we can collect here on Earth is only a tiny fraction of what is available in space,” Okhotnikov points out, emphasizing the immense potential that space holds for future developments.
As part of its mission, Holiverse is exploring designs and collaborations that align future AI infrastructure with power generated in space. The path to achieving solar electricity in space is fraught with challenges, including international governance, orbital construction, transmission efficiency, and the costs associated with launching technology into orbit. Nevertheless, advancements in materials science and the increasing viability of reusable rockets are transforming these hurdles into issues of engineering and diplomacy that can be addressed.
Holiverse aims to be a pioneering force in this transition. “We are developing technologies capable of powering the next era of AI,” Okhotnikov asserts. “It’s a demanding process that brings together some of the brightest minds in this field, and I believe that in the foreseeable future, we will be ready to take tangible steps toward making this project a reality.”
The implications of successful SBSP implementation are profound. By liberating AI from terrestrial energy constraints, research possibilities would expand significantly. A sustainable energy network could power extensive computational tasks required for advancements in fields such as material science, personalized medicine, and climate prediction. In this future, the energy allocated to AI will play a crucial role in its development.
From Holiverse to the experts rethinking governmental policies, those involved in this initiative recognize that genuine advancements in intelligence will require a shift in perspective—looking beyond the confines of our planet. Harnessing the sun’s limitless energy may indeed be the key to unlocking the next major leap in artificial intelligence.
