The majority of people are referring to “Artificial Intelligence” when they are referring to software engineers, data scientists and the hardware engineers (the chip makers) from organizations such as Nvidia. There is some merit in this statement as it is those engineers who develop and design the actual AI systems; however, there is another piece of the puzzle that has been somewhat ignored and will receive a lot more attention in the coming years. Artificial intelligence does not operate by thought process, concepts, or ideas. Artificial intelligence operates using electricity. This simple fact is creating electricians, which were once considered somewhat antiquated trades, to become among the most innovative and most in-demand careers in the world for the next ten years.
The power consumption of AI systems is enormous. The large language models are developed and distributed through data centers as cloud-based services. Data centers use tremendous amounts of energy and require many server units, cooling systems, back-up power supplies, and complex electrical distribution systems. The International Energy Agency (IEA) has reported that the global data center electricity demand may reach nearly 1,000 TWh per year by 2030. Additionally, the IEA reports that the electricity demand for data centers is expected to rise approximately 15% per year between 2024 and 2030, while all other forms of electricity demand will grow at a rate much lower than that.
Each and every single one of the data centers rely on specialized electrical work. The high-capacity switchgear, uninterruptible power supplies (UPS), generators, redundant systems, monitoring, testing, and continuous maintenance are not discretionary. Down-time for a data center can cost millions. Therefore, qualified electricians are necessary, not interchangeable. As outlined in guides such as Electrician courses, the specialized pathways of the trade are growing rapidly as a result of the rapid growth of AI.
There is a collision between AI growth and another large-scale trend: widespread electrification. Transportation, heating, and industrial activities are increasingly transitioning from fossil fuels to electric systems. According to the IEA, we are entering a new “Age of Electricity,” with increased power demand expected across both developing and advanced economies (IEA Electricity 2024).
In practical terms, this means that electricians are needed everywhere. Homeowners are installing EV chargers, heat pumps, solar panels, and battery storage. Businesses are updating their electrical wiring to support greater electrical loads. Municipalities are launching large-scale public charging initiatives. The U.K., for example, has set goals for installing approximately 300,000 public EV charge points by 2030. As of early 2025, only about 73,000 had been installed, according to parliamentary data provided by the U.K.’s Public Accounts Committee (U.K. Public Accounts Committee).
Each new charger will need to be evaluated, installed, connected to the grid, protected, inspected for safety, and serviced over the long term. A good resource for learning more about this type of work is EV Charger Installation Guides, which detail the specialized and regulatory nature of this field.
This moment is particularly unique because there is a significant increase in demand for electricians, while the workforce pipeline is failing to meet the demand. Industry associations in the UK electrotechnical sector have identified a persistent shortage of apprenticeships in the trade. NICEIC reports that approximately 7,540 electrical apprentices begin their studies each year, while estimates indicate that more than 10,500 are needed annually to replace retiring electricians and meet the minimum demand (NICEIC).
Similarly, the United States reflects the same pattern. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a median annual salary for electricians of approximately $62,350, with employment expected to grow by 9% from 2024 to 2034. That equates to approximately 80,000 job opportunities each year, largely driven by replacement demand and new infrastructure.
Whereas many technology-based occupations do not provide the benefits described above, electrical work has two benefits. First, electricians are required to service the system both at the time of installation and during the entire lifespan of a building for routine repairs, replacements, and compliance. Second, all three areas discussed (AI) Infrastructure is Long-Term High-Risk and Continuously Growing. And with the increasing number of EV’s, Renewable Energy and Heating in buildings, the workload does not merely increase, but it increases exponentially.
Therefore, if you’re seeking a career tied to the physical future of AI and energy — rather than the digital hype — then becoming an electrician right now is no longer a safe fallback. It’s a strategic decision. For those considering their next steps, ElectricalPath.com provides practical guidance, career insights and training resources tailored specifically for the modern electrical trade.
