UNU-INWEH Report Highlights Environmental Costs of AI's Energy Use
The United Nations University Institute for Water, Environment and Health (UNU-INWEH) has released a report examining the environmental costs associated with the energy use of artificial intelligence (AI). The report, titled 'Environmental Cost of Artificial Intelligence: Carbon, Water, and Land Footprints,' highlights the significant environmental impact of AI's growing infrastructure, including data centers and electricity grids. It quantifies the carbon, water, and land footprints of the electricity used to power AI systems, emphasizing that these costs vary depending on the source and location of the electricity. The report also frames AI's environmental footprint as a governance and justice challenge, calling for a responsible AI ecosystem that prioritizes transparency, efficiency, and environmental justice. 
