Artificial intelligence threatens to boost planet-warming pollution, even as the tech industry brings new clean energy to the grid to power its data centers.
Amazon, Microsoft, Google and Meta have become the largest purchasers of clean energy in the U.S., according to an analysis by financial advisory firm Clarity AI. At the same time, the analysis found that some data centers are generating more emissions through construction activities and hardware purchases than through their substantial electricity use.
“If we don’t watch this space, emissions could keep rising,” said report author Nico Fettes, the climate research director for Clarity AI. “These companies, with the power they have, must keep going and have to lead the industry. What they do will be decisive for this sector.”
The report is among several recent analyses that warn about the accelerating environmental costs of AI.
