Environmental Concerns Rise Amid AI Expansion in Malta
Malta's AI investments pose significant environmental challenges, including high energy consumption and water usage. Experts urge for responsible development to mitigate these impacts.
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Malta's recent commitment to digitalisation includes a €100 million investment in AI and a €4 million Microsoft Copilot initiative. However, the environmental costs are significant; AI systems consume approximately 1% of global electricity and require hundreds of billions of litres of water annually for cooling, exacerbating water scarcity issues.
In 2024, the electricity demand for AI data centres globally reached 460 TWh, with forecasts suggesting this could exceed 1,000 TWh by 2030. The reliance on fossil fuels for power generation remains a concern, particularly in the USA and China, where coal and natural gas dominate the energy mix.
Experts emphasize the necessity of managing these environmental impacts as AI technology advances. Strategies for responsible AI deployment are critical to balancing technological growth with sustainability.
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