Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming industries, unlocking new efficiencies, and driving innovation at an unprecedented pace. But behind every AI model, chatbot, or predictive tool lies a rapidly expanding physical footprint in the form of ever-proliferating data centers.
According to Business Insider, there were 311 data centers in the United States in 2010. In 2024, this number quadrupled with 1,240 data centers already built or approved for construction at the end of last year.
As demand for AI accelerates, this number will only increase, and a growing body of reporting shows significant environmental and community impacts that rarely make headlines.Recent investigations are beginning to document what is happening out of public view, revealing that the environmental costs of AI are increasing quickly:
- Energy Use: The global footprint of data centers is already substantial. They consume large amounts of electricity, and those levels are expected to increase dramatically as AI workloads grow. Many data centers draw energy from grids that still rely heavily on fossil fuels, which risks slowing climate progress at a time when emissions must decline.
- Water Use: Cooling the hardware that trains and runs AI requires water. In some areas, data centers use millions of gallons annually to keep servers at safe operating temperatures. Investigative reporting shows that this water use is rarely disclosed, and often occurs in regions where groundwater or municipal supply is already under strain.
- Local Communities Impacted: Residents living near new or expanding data-center hubs are beginning to raise concerns about noise, land-use changes, and making their water undrinkable. In places like northern Virginia, local groups have organized to oppose large industrial facilities being built next to residential neighborhoods and schools. They argue that promises of jobs and economic growth do not outweigh the environmental trade-offs or long-term impacts.
The issues surrounding AI data centers point to a need for better oversight, clearer sustainability rules, and meaningful community engagement. As the AI economy expands, policymakers, technology companies, and climate-focused organizations will need to confront the realities of energy demand, water access, and environmental justice.
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