Geneva, June 4
The growing adoption of artificial intelligence across industries could lead to a sharp rise in electricity and water consumption by data centres over the coming years, according to a recent report released by the United Nations. The report highlights the environmental challenges associated with the rapid expansion of AI technologies and calls for greater emphasis on sustainability within the digital economy.
Data centres form the backbone of modern digital services, supporting cloud computing, online platforms, financial transactions, streaming services and increasingly sophisticated artificial intelligence systems. As businesses, governments and consumers rely more heavily on AI-powered applications, the demand for large-scale computing infrastructure continues to rise.
According to the report, global electricity consumption by data centres could reach approximately 945 terawatt-hours by 2030. This would represent a substantial increase compared with current levels and place data centres among the major consumers of electricity worldwide. The report estimates that artificial intelligence workloads could account for nearly 40 percent of total data centre energy use by the end of the decade.
The development and deployment of advanced AI models require enormous computational resources. Training large language models, machine learning systems and other AI applications often involves thousands of powerful processors operating continuously for extended periods. As AI adoption expands across sectors such as healthcare, finance, education, manufacturing and transportation, demand for computing capacity is expected to grow significantly.
Beyond electricity consumption, the report also draws attention to the increasing use of water by data centres. Water is commonly used in cooling systems to maintain optimal operating temperatures for servers and computing equipment. As facilities become larger and more powerful, water requirements may also rise substantially.
Environmental experts note that growing energy and water consumption could place additional pressure on natural resources, particularly in regions already facing challenges related to energy supply and water availability. The report emphasizes the importance of balancing technological innovation with environmental responsibility.
Several technology companies have already announced initiatives aimed at improving the sustainability of their data centre operations. These measures include investments in renewable energy, development of energy-efficient processors, advanced cooling technologies and improved resource management systems. Many major firms have also committed to reducing carbon emissions associated with their digital infrastructure.
Industry analysts believe that advances in hardware design and software optimization could help improve energy efficiency over time. Researchers are exploring ways to develop AI systems that require less computing power while maintaining high levels of performance. Such innovations may play an important role in reducing the environmental impact of future technologies.
Governments and regulators around the world are also paying closer attention to the sustainability of digital infrastructure. Policymakers are increasingly encouraging investments in renewable energy sources and environmentally responsible technology development as part of broader climate and energy strategies.
The United Nations report suggests that collaboration between governments, technology companies, researchers and infrastructure providers will be essential to address the challenges associated with AI-driven growth. Sustainable planning and responsible resource management could help ensure that technological progress does not come at the expense of environmental goals.
As artificial intelligence continues to transform economies and societies, the report serves as a reminder that digital innovation and environmental sustainability must advance together. Experts believe that proactive measures taken today can help create a more efficient and environmentally responsible digital future while supporting the continued growth of AI technologies worldwide.