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A new wave of concern is emerging over the environmental impact of artificial intelligence, with reports suggesting that AI systems may be consuming significantly more water and energy than previously understood.
According to research linked to the United Nations University, the rapid expansion of AI infrastructure—especially large data centers—could lead to a sharp rise in global water and electricity usage in the coming years.
Experts explain that AI models such as chatbots and image generators do not directly use water. Instead, the massive data centers that power them require extensive cooling systems to prevent servers from overheating. These cooling processes rely heavily on water, sometimes consuming millions of liters daily.
The report also warns that within the next few years, AI-related energy and water demand could potentially double, driven by the increasing use of AI tools and large-scale model training.While exact figures remain difficult to calculate, researchers estimate that tech giants like Google, Meta, and Amazon already account for substantial environmental resource consumption through their data infrastructure.
Scientists emphasize that AI itself is not the direct cause, but its growing digital backbone could place additional pressure on global water and energy systems if efficiency improvements are not made.
The findings have sparked renewed debate about balancing technological progress with environmental sustainability.
