UN Report Warns AI Will Consume Water for 1.3 Billion People by 2030
By 2030, artificial intelligence (AI) is projected to consume water equivalent to the needs of 1.3 billion individuals, matching the entire population of Sub-Saharan Africa. The UN report highlights the urgent need for global guidelines to manage the environmental impact of AI, including its energy consumption and water usage.
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The UN report titled "Environmental Cost of AI Energy Consumption: Carbon Footprint, Water, and Soil" indicates that by 2030, AI will require 945 terawatt-hours of electricity, three times that of 650 million people living in Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Nigeria combined. Data centers in Ireland consumed 21% of the country's electricity in 2023, surpassing urban demands, while water-intensive projects in Uruguay coincided with a drought, rendering local tap water undrinkable.
The study emphasizes that assessing AI's impact requires a comprehensive approach covering CO2 emissions, water consumption, and land use. It calls for a responsible AI ecosystem founded on transparency and environmental justice.
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