The rapid expansion of artificial intelligence (AI) is inadvertently leading to increased air pollution, with significant health repercussions.
Key Points at a Glance:
- AI’s energy demands are causing a rise in air pollution from power plants and backup diesel generators.
- This pollution could result in up to 1,300 premature deaths annually in the U.S. by 2030.
- Health-related costs from AI-induced pollution are estimated to approach $20 billion per year.
- Low-income communities are disproportionately affected due to their proximity to pollution sources.
The surge in AI technologies has led to a substantial increase in energy consumption, primarily to power vast data centers. These centers rely heavily on electricity from power plants and often use diesel generators as backups, both of which emit harmful pollutants into the atmosphere. A recent study by researchers from the University of California, Riverside, and Caltech highlights the severe public health implications of this trend.
The study projects that by 2030, air pollution resulting from AI-related energy consumption could cause up to 1,300 premature deaths annually in the United States. The associated health costs, including treatments for respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, are estimated to reach nearly $20 billion each year. These figures underscore a pressing need for the tech industry to address the environmental and health impacts of its energy use.
Notably, the study points out that current sustainability reports from tech companies often focus solely on carbon emissions, neglecting other harmful pollutants. Shaolei Ren, an associate professor at UC Riverside and a corresponding author of the study, emphasizes this oversight: “If you look at those sustainability reports by tech companies, they only focus on carbon emissions, and some of them include water as well, but there’s absolutely no mention of unhealthful air pollutants, and these pollutants are already creating a public health burden.”
The research also reveals that low-income communities bear a disproportionate share of the health burden due to their proximity to power plants and data centers. Pollutants from these sources can travel across county and state lines, affecting populations far from the original emission site. For instance, emissions from data centers in Northern Virginia have been found to impact neighboring states, leading to regional public health costs ranging from $190 million to $260 million annually.
To mitigate these adverse effects, the study’s authors recommend that tech companies:
- Implement comprehensive reporting on all pollutants resulting from their energy consumption, not just carbon emissions.
- Invest in cleaner energy sources to power data centers, reducing reliance on fossil fuels and diesel generators.
- Provide compensation to communities disproportionately affected by pollution from their operations.
As AI continues to evolve and integrate into various aspects of society, it is imperative for the tech industry to acknowledge and address the environmental and public health challenges associated with its growth. By adopting sustainable practices and mitigating pollution, the industry can ensure that technological advancements do not come at the expense of human health and environmental integrity.
