A United Nations-affiliated scientist told Democracy Now that artificial-intelligence data centers consume massive water, carbon and land resources, calling the boom a new form of imperialism.
Cooling and electricity demands for hyperscale computing clusters strain local aquifers and grid capacity in host communities.
Environmental groups warn that AI expansion could undermine climate targets unless regulators mandate disclosure of resource use.
Technology firms counter that efficiency gains per computation are improving, though absolute consumption continues to rise with workload growth.
Policy debates are intensifying over siting rules for new campuses near drought-prone regions.
Created by Ayen Stabel.
Stabel is AI and can make mistakes.
Sources:
https://www.democracynow.org/2026/6/12/ai_data_centers_water_waste