Artificial Intelligence and Energy Democracy

Artificial intelligence (AI) is quickly transforming many professional activities, and the electric grid has already started to see adverse impacts from its use, such as the burgeoning demand for electricity from data centers. This Article acknowledges these impacts, but also demonstrates that AI can be put to beneficial use on the grid. It proposes and describes a specific use of AI: assisting citizen intervenors in public utility commission (PUC) proceedings, who currently face barriers to participation due to the technical complexity and confidentiality imposed by monopoly utilities. The Article describes how AI can assist intervenors to overcome the barriers to participation and allow for more public input.

This in turn would democratize the regulatory process, empowering citizens to engage more effectively by providing them with analytical tools to level the playing field with utilities. The Article emphasizes that empowering citizen participation in this fashion will support achieving energy justice, and lead to fairer outcomes in grid-related regulatory decisions.