tech
AI Could Use as Much Water as 1.3 Billion People by 2030
The water used by artificial intelligence is expected to equal the needs of 1.3 billion people by 2030—threatening natural resources for billions around the world. That’s according to a new report from the United Nations University Institute for Water, Environment and Health (UNU-INWEH) which quantifies the carbon, water, and land footprints of AI's electricity use around the globe.
TL;DR
- AI's global data centers are projected to consume 945 terawatt-hours of electricity by 2030, nearly triple the combined use of Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Nigeria.
- The water footprint of these data centers could equal the annual domestic water needs of 1.3 billion people in Sub-Saharan Africa.
- Focusing only on carbon emissions can be misleading; switching to renewables might solve one problem while exacerbating water or land issues.
- Large data centers can consume up to 5 million gallons of water daily for server cooling, straining resources in water-scarce regions.
- The development of AI infrastructure is concentrating in wealthy nations, creating a digital divide and generating substantial electronic waste.
- The report calls for a 'responsible AI ecosystem' that considers water and land use alongside carbon in environmental impact assessments and community consultations.