The explosive growth of artificial intelligence is on track to double the global power and water consumption of data centres by the end of the decade, according to a new report by United Nations researchers.
The study highlights the mounting environmental toll of the digital boom, warning that the rapid deployment of resource-intensive AI models could severely undermine global sustainability goals.
Data centres already account for a significant portion of global electricity use, but the computational intensity required to train and run generative AI technologies is driving an unprecedented surge in demand.
UN analysts note that beyond the strain on electrical grids, the massive cooling infrastructure required to keep high-performance servers from overheating will drastically accelerate water consumption, potentially exacerbating ecological stress in arid and water-scarce regions.
The report urges tech conglomerates and policymakers to prioritize energy-efficient hardware and sustainable cooling alternatives.
Researchers emphasize that without stringent regulatory frameworks and a rapid transition to renewable energy sources, the environmental footprint of the AI revolution could outpace the efficiency gains it promises to deliver.