What is the danger?
AI runs in giant data centres that consume huge amounts of electricity and water for cooling. Rapid growth is straining power grids, raising electricity prices in some regions and delaying climate goals.
How it happens
- Training and running large models on millions of power-hungry chips.
- Evaporative cooling that uses large volumes of fresh water.
- New gas plants built or kept open to power data centres.
Real cases
The International Energy Agency projects that data-centre electricity use will more than double to around 945 TWh by 2030, with AI the most important driver.
Source: IEA ↗In Ireland, data centres used 23% of all metered electricity in 2025 — up from 5% in 2015.
Source: Central Statistics Office (Ireland) ↗
What you can do
- Support requirements for AI companies to report energy and water use.
- Use AI where it adds real value, not for everything.
Frequently asked questions
What is the danger of environment in AI?
AI runs in giant data centres that consume huge amounts of electricity and water for cooling. Rapid growth is straining power grids, raising electricity prices in some regions and delaying climate goals.
How does it happen?
Training and running large models on millions of power-hungry chips. Evaporative cooling that uses large volumes of fresh water. New gas plants built or kept open to power data centres.
How can I protect myself?
Support requirements for AI companies to report energy and water use. Use AI where it adds real value, not for everything.
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