The growing demand for artificial intelligence is leading to a significant increase in energy consumption and carbon emissions. Experts warn that the environmental impacts of AI facilities are not being adequately addressed, and tech companies must be more transparent about their AI-related energy use, water use, and carbon emissions.
The London-based National Engineering Policy Centre has called for officials in the UK to mandate tech companies to report their AI-related environmental impacts. This would provide a better understanding of the consequences of AI on the planet.
The carbon footprint of AI is substantial, with the International Energy Agency estimating that the energy consumption of AI could double by 2026, equivalent to the energy consumption of Japan. Furthermore, AI systems consume large amounts of water, with the global demand for water expected to exceed the demand of half of the UK by 2027.
To address these concerns, investors are calling for tech companies to be more transparent about their environmental impacts. This includes disclosing their energy consumption, water usage, and carbon emissions. Companies like Alphabet and Microsoft are taking steps to reduce their environmental impacts, but more needs to be done to address the growing demand for AI.
