The Dark Side of AI: Its Growing Environmental Footprint

The rapid growth and widespread adoption of Artificial Intelligence (AI) has brought numerous benefits to businesses and society. However, the development, maintenance, and disposal of AI technology all come with a large carbon footprint. 

As AI systems become more complex and prevalent, their impact on the environment continues to grow at an alarming rate.  In this article, we dive deep into the hidden environmental dilemma surrounding AI and explore the urgent need for proactive measures. 

Unravelling the hidden environmental impacts of AI

The development and training methods used to create large language models require powerful computing systems- using massive stores of electricity and heat. To cool down the massive data centers that power AI, tech giants are using vast quantities of water, raising serious environmental concerns.

According to a recent study in Nature, AI’s water consumption is projected to reach between 4.2 billion and 6.6 billion cubic meters by 2027. Likewise, data centers around the globe currently account for about 1 to 1.5 percent of global electricity usage, according to the International Energy Agency. However, the world’s still-exploding boom in artificial intelligence could drive that number up a lot and fast.

Contributes to more e-waste 

E-waste is one of the world’s fastest-growing environmental issues. Data centers themselves are significant contributors to this rising problem. Every two to five years, data centers typically decommission their hardware, generating a staggering amount of e-waste.  The most common sources of e-waste created by data centres include racks, computing equipment, monitors, circuits, and any other electrical components within the infrastructure. 

Worldwide, the annual generation of e-waste is rising by 2.6 million tons annually and is on track to reach 82 million tons by 2030, a further 33 percent increase from the 2022 figure.  And considering the projected growth of the AI server market, which Foxconn estimates will reach $150 billion by 2027, the e-waste crisis is poised to escalate dramatically.

Damages the natural ecosystem

The rising use of AI in agriculture results in the overuse of pesticides and fertilizers, further contaminating the soil and water and harming biodiversity. Moreover, implementing AI in agricultural practices to increase yields at the expense of maintaining ecosystem health could lead to monocultures, i.e., growing a single crop in a certain area of land.  This can increase the risks of other environmental impacts, such as reducing the number of worms and insects for birds.

Likewise, drones can have negative ecological impacts. Their noise and visual appearance can alter wildlife behavior and stress. They can even create more tension between humans and animals, resulting in imbalance in the eco-system.

The urgency to strike the right balance

Artificial intelligence, a subject discussed around the globe, is now inescapable. The AI market globally is projected to post a CAGR of 38.1 percent and reach a value close to $1,600 billion by 2030 — a meteoric rise. However, this growth does come with some potential risks.

Hence, more work and research must be done to strike the right balance between using AI tools and minimizing their environmental impact. This starts with developing awareness and understanding of the tools and their side effects. The awareness wing should reach all levels, involving managers and employees who play a pivotal role in integrating AI into daily operations.

Moreover, changing the world means changing the world of work. This starts with recruitment practices and partnerships that will identify, attract, and nurture sustainability-focused talent. It will help create an ecosystem of green skills and practices that positively impact the environment while also strengthening employee commitment, motivation, and output. Likewise, by providing training to existing employees, organizations and tech leaders can cultivate a culture that’s centered on the responsible use of AI. This culture, with its focus on responsibility and sustainability, will be advantageous to the company and society at large.

That’s not all! Business leaders must collaborate with governments and academic institutions to identify and tackle potential AI risks. Such partnerships can provide technical expertise, regulatory oversight, and academic insights to devise suitable mitigation strategies

And although AI already feels ubiquitous, it will continue to creep into our lives more deeply. However, with the right strategies and a human-centric approach, AI can truly become a transformative force that propels us into a brighter and greener future

In brief

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a double-edged sword in an era dominated by technological marvels. While its capabilities are awe-inspiring, the environmental toll it has is a point of concern. To maximize the positive impact of AI on the environment and society, it is crucial to prioritize responsible and ethical AI development and deployment.