New Scientist · 2 Oct, 08:01 · Technology briefing

Will the backlash against AI data centres hit quantum computing too?

Reports suggest public resistance to the energy consumption of AI data centres may extend to quantum computing infrastructure.

What it means for you ↓ Courses for this story

30%premium for professionals who pair domain skills with tech fluency

3.5xfaster skill turnover — staying current is the moat

74%of employers fund staff who self-start upskilling

20days to your first credential

The briefing

The story
in brief.

What happened, who it affects, and why it landed on our intelligence desk — in plain English, sixty seconds or less.

Reports suggest public resistance to the energy consumption of AI data centres may extend to quantum computing infrastructure. Critics argue that both technologies demand disproportionate power resources, raising concerns about environmental sustainability and grid capacity. This narrative challenges the assumption that quantum development is immune to the scrutiny currently facing large-scale AI deployments. Professionals must recognise that regulatory and social pressures on high-energy computing sectors are converging, potentially slowing infrastructure rollout and altering investment priorities across the technology landscape.

Employer demand for Sustainable Computing skills — indexed growth since 2019
Indicative index of skill mentions in professional job postings for the field this story moves (2019 = 1)

Your move

What this means
for your career.

Every headline redistributes opportunity. Here is who this one rewards — and how to be on the right side of it.

You must anticipate stricter environmental regulations affecting high-compute sectors. Skills in sustainable technology strategy and energy efficiency will surge in value. Professionals in engineering and project management should prioritise understanding the carbon footprint of computational infrastructure. Do not assume quantum computing operates in a regulatory vacuum; instead, align your expertise with green computing standards. Smart professionals will upskill in sustainability management and compliance, positioning themselves to bridge the gap between technological ambition and environmental responsibility. Focus on roles that optimise resource usage, as organisations will increasingly seek talent capable of navigating these complex socio-technical constraints while maintaining innovation momentum.

For this story, the fields that convert it into pay are Sustainable Computing, Engineering, Project Management and Compliance And Governance — exactly the programmes matched below. The chart shows the indicative salary uplift certified professionals report in each of those fields; every one of them is a click away, from £79, finishing in as few as 20 days.

Indicative salary uplift in the fields matched to this story
Indicative ranges from published continuing-education salary studies, by field — each field is a recommended course below

Matched to this story

Enrol in these
to benefit.

These programmes position you for exactly this shift — online, self-paced, and finishing with a verifiable certificate you can share the day you pass.