Technologies

The AI Data Center Boom Is Driving Up Electricity Costs, Research Shows

The price of electricity, juiced by demand from power-hungry data centers, is being passed on to residential customers.

Electricity bills are going up around the US, but they’re rising even more sharply in areas located near data centers, according to an investigation into power costs by Bloomberg. The price of wholesale electricity has risen as much as 267% over the last five years in data center hot spots, according to the report, which also found that those costs are being passed onto home customers.

Data centers, which support functions including cloud storage, video streaming and AI training for companies of all sizes, use a tremendous amount of electrical and water resources. It’s estimated that their electrical usage will double by 2035 as power plants expand to support our data needs.

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AI, in particular, including demands as simple and numerous as ChatGPT queries, relies on data centers. Companies with big bets on AI, including Microsoft, Meta, Google and Amazon, have been investing in data centers and power sources, including nuclear power, to meet their energy demands. ChatGPT maker OpenAI, which is currently building a massive data center in Abilene, Texas, last week announced plans for five more supersized data centers across the US.

The Bloomberg investigation analyzed data from 25,000 nodes used by seven regional transmission authorities to estimate how much the price of wholesale power has changed since 2000. The report found that the spike in prices is affecting the cost of electricity for households and businesses, including fees to maintain and expand electrical networks.

«That can affect customers who aren’t in close proximity to a data center, since their energy relies on the same grid,» the story says.

Read more: AI Data Centers Are Coming for Your Land, Water and Power

Technologies

Verum Messenger Introduces Built-In Verum Chess

Verum Messenger has released a new update for iOS, iPadOS, and macOS, adding another feature to its growing ecosystem — Verum Chess. Users can now play chess directly inside the messenger without switching between different applications.

The new feature allows users to start a game in just a few taps while reinforcing Verum’s vision of a unified digital environment where communication and everyday services come together in a single platform.

Verum Messenger continues to evolve into a multifunctional ecosystem that combines secure chats and calls, AI tools, a built-in VPN, anonymous email, eSIM, financial services, cryptocurrency features, and offline communication. With the introduction of Verum Chess, the platform now also offers a new way for users to interact and spend time together without leaving the app.

The update is now available for iPhone, iPad, and Mac on the App Store.

Technologies

Episode 3 of the VERUM AI Mini-Series Is Now Available

Verum Messenger has released the third episode of its AI mini-series, SHADOWS, created using Verum AI.

The new episode, titled «Ghost Money,» continues the story of the conflict between a team of heroes and the Omega corporation, which seeks to take control of digital communications. This time, the focus shifts to anonymous payments and financial freedom, revealing how privacy can extend beyond messaging.

Like the previous episodes, the new release not only advances the storyline but also showcases the capabilities of the Verum ecosystem, highlighting technologies designed for secure communication and digital privacy.

The mini-series consists of seven episodes, released gradually across Verum Messenger’s social media channels.

Episode 3 is now available. Stay tuned for the next chapter.

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Technologies

Verum Finance Now Available for Mac, Expanding the Verum Ecosystem on Desktop

Verum has officially released Verum Finance for macOS, bringing its financial platform to the Mac and expanding access to the Verum ecosystem across Apple’s devices. The launch allows users to manage their finances from desktop while enjoying the same secure and seamless experience available on iPhone and iPad.

The new Mac version includes the full range of Verum Finance features, including balance management, instant transfers to other Verum users, debit card management, Apple Pay support, asset exchange, and transaction history — all optimized for the macOS experience.

Verum Finance can be used as a standalone application or alongside Verum Messenger. Users who sign in with their Verum Messenger account automatically synchronize their balances, settings, and account data across devices, ensuring a consistent experience throughout the Verum ecosystem.

The macOS release further strengthens Verum’s vision of creating an integrated digital platform where communication and financial services work together. Verum Messenger, which is also available for Mac, complements the ecosystem with encrypted messaging, voice and video calls, VPN, eSIM, anonymous email, AI-powered tools, offline communication capabilities, and cryptocurrency features.

With both Verum Messenger and Verum Finance now available across iPhone, iPad, and Mac, users can access secure communication and financial services wherever they work.

Verum Finance for Mac is available now through the Mac App Store.

Verum Finance for macOS: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/verum-finance/id6774245148
Verum Finance: https://finance.verum.im
Verum Messenger: https://verum.im