UN report AI drives rising demand for power, water, land

The rapid expansion of artificial intelligence is driving a surge in global demand for electricity, water, and land, creating significant environmental pressures that require urgent and coordinated management, according to a comprehensive new report from the United Nations University Institute for Water, Environment and Health.

Researchers warn that the environmental footprint of AI extends far beyond its carbon emissions to include substantial water consumption for cooling, extensive land use for energy infrastructure, and mounting electronic waste. The physical infrastructure required—data centers, semiconductor fabrication, and mineral extraction—introduces complex supply chain impacts often overlooked in public debate.

Current projections indicate data centers consumed approximately 448 terawatt-hours of electricity globally last year, with AI workloads accounting for roughly 20 percent of that total. By 2030, total data center electricity demand is forecast to roughly double to 945 terawatt-hours, with AI's share rising to 40 percent. This amount is equivalent to nearly 3 percent of worldwide electricity usage and could power the residential needs of all 1.3 billion people...