The article highlights a growing concern that the surge in AI development might lead to higher electricity bills for everyday Americans—even if the AI boom doesn’t pan out as expected. Energy companies are racing to expand infrastructure based on optimistic projections about data center growth, and those costs could trickle down to consumers, regardless of whether AI demand actually meets those lofty expectations.

Editor’s Note: This isn’t just about tech companies burning through power—it’s about regular people potentially footing the bill for an AI gold rush that might not even happen. If energy providers overbuild based on hype, households and small businesses could end up paying more for electricity, making this a pocketbook issue for millions. It’s a reminder that tech trends don’t exist in a vacuum—they ripple through the real economy in unexpected ways.