A new United Nations report warns that the rapid expansion of artificial intelligence could lead to a sharp increase in energy consumption and carbon emissions by 2030. AI-related electricity use may double and account for about 3 percent of global demand, with emissions comparable to the United Kingdom's current annual output. Data centers already consume as much power as Saudi Arabia, and the report highlights that water use for cooling could exceed the global population's drinking water needs. The report points to the Jevons Paradox, where efficiency gains in AI may lead to higher overall resource use as costs drop and adoption spreads. It also notes that only 32 countries host AI cloud infrastructure, with nearly 90 percent concentrated in the US and China, widening the digital divide. The UN calls for comprehensive governance covering mineral sourcing, energy use, and recycling to balance AI innovation with environmental responsibility.
