A new report from the United Nations University examines the physical toll of artificial intelligence. While often viewed as digital, AI relies on a massive material system of data centers, cooling systems, and power grids that consume significant amounts of electricity and water. The research highlights that low carbon energy does not always mean low water or land use. It argues that AI's environmental impact is a governance issue, as the benefits of the technology are global while the ecological burdens often fall on specific local communities.
