AI must earn $6 trillion a year to pay for its data centres.
Bain's annual technology report says AI needs $6 trillion of yearly revenue by 2031 to justify data centres. Today's consumer and business AI services could supply $1.8 trillion, leaving $4.2 trillion to come from somewhere else. Local opposition already blocked or delayed $68 billion of US projects in the June quarter.
Why it mattersThe bill for this buildout lands on electricity prices, water and planning fights near you. If that revenue never arrives, the correction reaches pension funds, not just startups.
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