Duane Morris: Energy Industry's Greater Risk Is Falling Behind in AI Adoption

Law firm Duane Morris on Friday argued that the energy sector's most prescient risk from artificial intelligence is not the strain on power grids, but the danger of lagging in AI integration itself. In an article published June 5, 2026, the firm said that while AI's energy demands are real, the sector must view large language models as assets rather than just liabilities to avoid falling behind. Proponents claim AI's ability to optimize industrial processes, improve grid forecasting, and accelerate clean energy research could ultimately save more energy than it consumes. However, a 2025 MIT report challenges these forecasts, noting that touted efficiency gains have not yet materialized and may never do so. Data center approvals continue to surge despite the uncertainty. While AI is spurring research into nuclear fusion and advanced geothermal, Big Tech currently relies heavily on natural gas to power its AI operations. Duane Morris stressed that any push toward aggressive AI adoption must be paired with strong policy foundations and a smarter long-term strategy.