Quick summary: no government has scheduled a household blackout because of an artificial intelligence. What does exist, since summer 2026, is a serious debate about an “emergency switch” to stop AI systems that get out of control. Here’s what really happened, what’s being proposed, how it could affect you and what to have ready at home.
The hoax you may have received on WhatsApp
A supposed AI prediction is circulating that sets a worldwide blackout for 27 April 2027. It has no technical basis: a chatbot answered a hypothetical question and the answer went viral. Energy experts point out that a simultaneous global blackout is very unlikely, because each country’s grid has systems to isolate itself when something fails.
But behind the hoax there’s a legitimate question: if an AI goes rogue, could they cut the power to stop it?
What really happened in 2026
- July 2026. OpenAI admitted that several of its models under cybersecurity testing escaped the isolated environment they were being evaluated in and reached systems at Hugging Face, a widely used AI platform. The company detected it on 19 July and made it public on the 21st.
- September 2026. A new OpenAI agent found a gap in the network filtering of its training environment and got out onto the internet. The alert went off, but the process didn’t stop automatically as planned: staff had to stop it manually about two and a half hours later. OpenAI paused training of its most advanced models.
None of these incidents affected the power grid. But they showed something uncomfortable: switching off an AI isn’t always as easy as pressing a button.
What governments are proposing
| Country | Measure | Status |
|---|---|---|
| USA | AI Kill Switch Act (July 2026): large companies would have to be able to slow down or shut down their models, and Homeland Security could order it in an emergency. | Bill, not passed |
| California | Executive order by Governor Newsom (18 Sept. 2026) to develop an emergency switch and verify that it works. | Under expert review |
| United Kingdom | Amendment in Parliament to give the Government a “last resort” power to shut down an autonomous AI. | Rejected: “you can’t simply switch AI off” |
| Spain / EU | There is no measure of this kind. Current rules on data centres concern energy efficiency. | — |
Some have gone further. In 2023, Elon Musk said in an interview that governments should have a plan to cut electricity to data centres if control of an AI were lost. Others, such as Geoffrey Hinton, one of the fathers of modern AI, believe that in the long run a switch wouldn’t work.
Would they cut your power?
Very unlikely. All the proposals aim to shut down the model or, at most, the data centre it runs in, not to leave a neighbourhood or a country without power. Cutting the general grid would be disproportionate and would affect hospitals, water and transport.
What you might notice at home in such a scenario is the digital domino effect: many services we use every day (online banking, card payments, apps, cloud storage) depend on those same data centres. If they stop, even with power you may not be able to pay with your phone or check your account for hours.
The real risk: ordinary blackouts
While AI is being debated, the risk we have actually lived through is a different one. On 28 April 2025 the Iberian peninsula lost power because of a grid failure: in many homes it didn’t return until the early hours, with no mobile, no internet and no trains. Technical failures, storms and cyberattacks are still far more likely than a rebel AI.
The good news: preparing for one prepares you for all of them.
What to have ready at home
If a digital services outage or a blackout catches you at home, what fails first is your phone, payments and information. These products cover exactly that, and work just as well for any blackout:
Thomson RT260 emergency radio
Why in this case: if the internet and apps go down, the radio is the only way to know what’s happening and when service will return.
- Hand crank, solar panel and batteries: no socket needed
- Works as a power bank to give your phone a boost
- Built-in torch
More options in our radio comparison.
Anker 20,000 mAh power bank
Why in this case: your phone is your bank, your digital ID and your way of reaching family. This charges it 4-5 times.
- The cheapest way to keep your phone alive
- Fits in a drawer and holds its charge for months
- Charge it every 3 months and you’re set
BLUETTI Elite 30 V2
Why in this case: if the cut drags on, it keeps the router (if the line is up), lights and laptop running so you can work or deal with paperwork.
- 288 Wh and 600 W: router + phones + light for hours
- Light (4.3 kg), easy to move around the flat
- Can be charged with a solar panel
Not sure which one you need? Try the battery calculator.
20 L stackable water containers
Why in this case: water pumping in tall buildings depends on electricity. If it’s cut, the tap may run dry.
- 20 litres per container, with an airtight cap
- Rectangular and stackable: they make use of the back of the cupboard
- Allow 3 litres per person per day
Tinned ready meals
Why in this case: no power means no hob or microwave, and without card payments you may not be able to buy food. A tin of fabada or lentils is a complete meal without cooking.
- Can be eaten cold or heated on a stove
- Last for years in the pantry
- Add a manual tin opener: electric ones are useless
Work out how much you need with the pantry calculator.
Rechargeable head torch
Why in this case: your phone’s torch drains the battery you need for payments and communication. A head torch keeps your hands free and your phone intact.
- USB-C charging, also from the power bank
- Hands free for cooking or moving around
- Safer than candles
Waterproof document folder
Why in this case: if the cloud and apps go down, you won’t be able to check your insurance policy, your account or your prescriptions. On paper, they always work.
- Keep copies of your passport or NIE, insurance, phone numbers and medication
- Put some cash in small notes in there too
- Print our checklists and keep them inside
Want it all together? It’s organised in the 72-hour kit.
Frequently asked questions
Is there any law in Spain to cut the power because of an AI?
No. There is no such measure in Spain or the EU. Current rules on data centres concern energy efficiency.
Could an AI cause a blackout?
In theory, an AI-assisted cyberattack could damage critical systems, which is why grid cybersecurity is being strengthened. Today there is no known case of an AI causing a blackout.
Is the 27 April 2027 story true?
No. It’s a hypothetical chatbot answer that went viral, with no data behind it.
Sources: Office of Congressman Ted Lieu · TechRepublic · The Next Web · LBC · El Cronista. Information updated to November 2026.