A new report from the United Nations University Institute for Water, Environment and Health examines the physical infrastructure required to sustain AI growth. The analysis covers the total environmental impact, including carbon emissions, water withdrawals for cooling, and the land used for data centers. The findings highlight the broader supply chain risks associated with AI, from the mining of critical minerals for chips to the eventual management of e-waste. This comprehensive view moves beyond simple energy metrics to address the justice implications of AI's expanding physical footprint.
