United Nations University Report Highlights Environmental Costs of AI Infrastructure
The United Nations University Institute for Water, Environment and Health (UNU-INWEH) has released a report detailing the environmental costs associated with artificial intelligence (AI). The report, titled 'Environmental Cost of Artificial Intelligence: Carbon, Water, and Land Footprints,' examines the significant environmental impacts of the energy required to power AI systems. It highlights that AI's environmental footprint is not solely dependent on electricity consumption but also on the sources of that electricity. The report emphasizes that AI's growth is driving increased use of energy, water, and land, raising environmental and equity challenges. It calls for a responsible AI ecosystem that incorporates transparency, efficiency, equity, and environmental justice. 
