Artificial Intelligence (AI), which some call the future of the world, could spell disaster for the environment. The development of data centers to fuel the technology, to the development of massive fires are all sadly correlated.
As mentioned above, AI has a huge impact on the environment. The data centers that house this technology can spread danger, starting from the ground up. Just to build and sustain the artificial intelligence sector, may require six times as much water as the entire country of Denmark uses.
Data centers are becoming increasingly common. From 500,000 in 2012, to over 8,000,000 today, the impacts that these centers offer is detrimental. In addition to creating more water overconsumption, the centers also use massive amounts of water to just cool the components. After the water is used, it must be decontaminated as it is hazardous upon touching the electronics.
In a recent case, the Los Angeles wildfires that have decimated homes and businesses, are nearly impossible to contain due to various reasons, but due to the over-consumption of water being used to develop even more data centers, the prospects of controlling these blazes are very grim.
Another issue regarding AI is the usage of rare earth minerals. Gold, silver and lithium are used in technology, from the computer I wrote this on, to OpenAI’s data centers. These minerals are often mined using dangerous, overconsuming processes that negatively impact the environment. Oftentimes the materials are not recycled properly and, therefore lost.
AI also leaves its own footprint with a unique waste- that is electronic waste. Electronic waste is extensive, and being loaded with dangerous materials can quickly wreak havoc.
Electronic waste is dangerous due to the usage of certain materials in production and disposal. Two of which, mercury and lead, are incredibly toxic. Both can lead to birth defects and other health problems.
Microplastics are also seen throughout electronic waste, and the most alarming part about them, scientists have not determined the true impact of them.
One of the biggest criticisms of AI is the massive amount of power that these data centers consume. It is estimated that ChatGPT consumes ten times the amount of energy that a single google search does. With a large amount of power coming from burning fossil fuels, the impacts are dire for our world.
Some of these issues can be mitigated, such as more infrastructure regarding electronic waste disposal, cleaner energy options, and more sustainable building guidelines. A positive impact that recycling electronic waste, would be the fact that many of the toxic or rare metals are recovered. If the gold in computer chips were recycled, less demand would be put on producing gold, and as a result, the mining processes would be limited. Similarly, if the plastics were recycled, the need for “virgin” plastic would be reduced, and the chances of harmful microplastics would be reduced.
The usage of AI has given us many great gifts, such as images of Syngman Rhee and Kim Il-Sung embracing, but at the cost of enormous power over-consumption and constant environmental calamity.
In a world that already faces constant shortages of land and water, would AI be the best use of these now-valuable commodities? Is AI worth the cost?