Artificial intelligence is reshaping the way we work, learn, and interact with technology. From AI assistants and smart devices to personalized retail experiences, AI is becoming part of our everyday lives. As AI continues to advance, one challenge is becoming increasingly important: energy.
Source: Ledge Finance
Why E Ink Matters
Artificial intelligence is transforming industries at an unprecedented pace, but its future depends on more than faster chips and larger models. It also depends on energy.
By 2030, AI infrastructure is projected to require an additional 469 terawatt-hours (TWh) of electricity each year compared with 2025, roughly equivalent to Germany's annual electricity consumption. As AI adoption accelerates, the challenge is no longer just computing power. It is ensuring there is enough electricity to support it.
Source: E Ink
This is where E Ink makes a difference.
Every AI experience reaches users through the application layer, including laptops, eReaders, digital signage, workplace displays, and other connected devices. In the five-layer AI architecture (L1-L5), every unit of electricity saved at the application layer can be redirected to the infrastructure layers that power AI.
Unlike traditional LCD displays, E Ink's electronic paper technology only consumes power when content changes. Once an image is displayed, it remains visible without drawing additional electricity, making E Ink an ideal display technology for always-on AI experiences while significantly reducing energy consumption.
Sustainable Displays Powering the AI Era
Displays are among the largest fixed electricity loads in public spaces. Most digital signage still relies on LCD technology, consuming about 2 kWh of electricity per day because it requires continuous backlighting. In comparison, ePaper only uses power when content changes, consuming approximately 2.53 Wh per day, or about 99.9% less energy.
Each ePaper display can save approximately 759 kWh of electricity annually. If about 618 million LCD displays were converted to ePaper, the resulting energy savings could offset the projected 469 TWh of additional annual electricity demand from AI by 2030.
As AI continues to grow, reducing electricity demand becomes just as important as increasing supply. By lowering the energy consumption of display devices, ePaper helps reduce pressure on power grids while delivering significant environmental benefits, including the potential to reduce approximately 223 million tons of CO₂ emissions annually, equivalent to removing nearly 50 million cars from the road or preserving 3.7 billion trees.
More than a display technology, ePaper is becoming critical energy infrastructure for the AI era.
Bringing AI and E Ink Together
E Ink is already collaborating with industry leaders to bring electronic paper technology to the next generation of AI-enabled devices.
In partnership with Intel, E Ink has developed an ePaper touch-enabled display for AI PCs that keeps AI-generated summaries, notifications, schedules, and contextual information visible while using only a fraction of the power required by traditional displays.
E Ink is also collaborating with MediaTek to advance AI-powered digital reading by combining electronic paper displays with intelligent reading assistance, note summarization, personalized learning, and language translation.
Beyond personal devices, E Ink supports AI-driven applications across retail, transportation, healthcare, and enterprise environments, enabling intelligent experiences with dramatically lower energy consumption.
Looking Ahead: AI needs power. E Ink saves power.
As AI continues to evolve, thoughtful energy management will be essential to sustaining its growth. By enabling always-on, highly readable, ultra-low-power displays, E Ink helps reduce electricity consumption where it matters most, freeing energy to support the next generation of AI innovation.