The expansion of artificial intelligence infrastructure is evolving into not just a technological leap but also a significant environmental challenge.
Air pollution / © Associated Press
The rapid construction of data centers to advance artificial intelligence technologies in the USA could lead to a sharp increase in environmental pollution. By 2030, carbon dioxide emissions from this sector will be comparable to the introduction of five to ten million new cars onto American roads.
This is reported by the website Futurism.
The large-scale construction of data centers, which often operate on fossil fuels, has already become a serious environmental concern amidst the global climate crisis.
Researchers at Cornell University predict that at the current pace of AI technology development, data centers will generate between 24 and 44 million metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions by 2030. This volume of pollution is equivalent to the addition of five to ten million extra cars on US roads.
Texas Becomes a Hub for Environmental Issues
As revealed by an investigation by the climate organization Floodlight, cited by the American publication Wired, the state of Texas has become the largest center for the construction of data centers for artificial intelligence.
According to journalists, a number of companies are exploiting legislative loopholes by building their own gas power plants directly adjacent to data centers. These facilities power servers but simultaneously produce significant amounts of harmful emissions.
The Global Energy Monitor estimates that the scale of new gas power plant construction in Texas is so substantial that only China is currently bringing more natural gas power capacity online.
How Environmental Requirements Are Being Circumvented
Floodlight data indicates that at least 38 data centers in Texas have utilized regulatory loopholes to obtain permits for operating their own power sources.
Collectively, this means the use of over 2100 backup diesel generators, which annually emit approximately 2500 tons of nitrogen oxides—toxic compounds that negatively impact air quality and human health.
Journalists also point out that some operators initially declare the construction of small data centers with minimal emissions, and after obtaining the necessary permits, they rapidly expand their facilities.
AI Projects Receive Simplified Permits
According to Wired, even large-scale infrastructure projects are obtaining environmental permits through a procedure typically applied to small businesses.
Specifically, one of the largest data centers in Abilene, Texas, part of the $500 billion Stargate project announced by the administration of US President Donald Trump, is equipped with 62 backup diesel generators. For comparison, typical small businesses for whom this approval procedure is intended usually require only one or two generators.
In the opinion of the investigation’s authors, the rapid development of artificial intelligence infrastructure is increasingly becoming not only a technological breakthrough but also a serious environmental challenge for the USA.
Recall that science fiction has described various threats of artificial intelligence for decades. And while initially they seemed unrealistic, most of them have now approached humanity at a dangerous distance.
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