A new United Nations University report reveals that the environmental impact of AI extends far beyond carbon emissions. The surge in data center growth is placing immense pressure on global water supplies and land use, with AI-related electricity demand potentially reaching 945 TWh by 2030. The findings highlight a critical trade-off: shifting to low-carbon energy sources often increases water and land footprints. With data centers already straining grids in places like Ireland, the report calls for strict resource budgets and better infrastructure planning to prevent an environmental crisis.
