UN report projects sharp rise in AI data centres’ water and electricity use by 2030

What is the main finding of the UN report?

The report projects that by 2030, AI-related data centres could use 945 terawatt-hours of electricity a year and 9.3 trillion litres of water, with water demand comparable to the basic domestic needs of 1.3 billion people NDTV,RTVE.es,europa press.

Why does the report say this matters beyond carbon emissions?

The report says AI infrastructure affects multiple resources at once: electricity generation, water for cooling and operations, land for facilities and supply chains, and electronic waste from hardware turnover infobae,El Tiempo,La Jornada.

What actions does the UN report recommend?

It urges AI companies to disclose their environmental footprint and calls on governments to require standardized reporting, arguing that better measurement and transparency are needed to assess and manage the sector’s impacts infobae,El Universal,France 24.