AI is an energy and water hog, here’s what you can do to counter that
AI is an energy and water hog, here’s what you can do to counter that
Publish Date: 2026-06-24 09:16:00
Source Domain: halifax.citynews.ca
Here is a summary of the key points from the article in an unordered list format:
-
Impact of AI on Energy and Water Consumption: Artificial intelligence systems, particularly those driven by AI and housed in data centers, are becoming increasingly resource-intensive, using significant amounts of both energy and water.
-
Need for Decarbonization: Cognitive computer scientist Sasha Luccioni points out that AI development seems to be working against broader efforts to curb carbon emissions.
-
Advice to Reduce AI Use: Experts suggest reducing the use of AI where possible, especially for simple tasks that previously did not require AI, such as calculations or recipe searches.
-
Consumption Estimates: The power usage of global data centers is already massive and projected to more than double within the next four years. Additionally, by 2030, the electricity needed for data centers alone is estimated to consume vast amounts of water.
-
Lack of Transparency: Many AI companies do not clearly disclose the energy and water use associated with their services, forcing users to make assumptions based on less common, open source AI.
-
Opt-Out Options: Users have limited ability to opt out of AI-driven responses on major search engines, although some limited options are available, such as adding “-ai” to a Google search.
-
Consumer Influence: There is potential for consumers to influence AI and data center practices through market demand, as companies may adjust their energy and water usage in response to public concerns.
-
Community and Developer Cooperation: There is an increasing call for better collaboration between AI developers and communities to address the environmental impacts of AI development and deployment.
