UN Report Highlights Alarming Water Consumption by AI Technologies
AI Could Soon Use More Water Than Humanity Drinks, UN Warns

Image: Ndtv
A new report from the United Nations University warns that AI's water consumption could exceed that of 1.3 billion people by 2030, raising concerns about its environmental impact. The study emphasizes the need for responsible AI development that considers water, land, and energy usage.
- 01AI data centres may consume enough water by 2030 to meet the basic domestic needs of 1.3 billion people.
- 02Projected annual electricity consumption by AI data centres could reach 945 terawatt-hours, nearly three times that of Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Nigeria combined.
- 03Daily interactions with AI could account for 80-90% of total energy demand, surpassing the energy used in training AI models.
- 04The report calls for a balanced approach to AI development that addresses its significant environmental footprint.
- 05AI's environmental costs, including water use, have been largely overlooked in discussions focused on carbon emissions.
Advertisement
In-Article Ad
The United Nations University has released a report highlighting the significant environmental costs associated with artificial intelligence (AI), particularly concerning water consumption. By 2030, data centres supporting AI technologies could require enough water to meet the basic needs of 1.3 billion people, a figure comparable to the entire population of Africa. In addition, these centres are projected to consume 945 terawatt-hours of electricity annually, nearly triple the combined usage of Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Nigeria. The report emphasizes that while discussions about AI often focus on carbon emissions, the substantial water needed for cooling servers and generating electricity is equally critical. Notably, everyday use of AI may impose a greater environmental burden than the training of AI models themselves, with daily interactions accounting for 80-90% of total energy demand. The UN encourages governments and technology companies to adopt a responsible approach to AI development, considering its impact on water, land, and energy resources as it becomes increasingly integrated into daily life.
Advertisement
In-Article Ad
The growing water and energy demands of AI technologies could strain local resources, affecting water availability and energy costs for communities.
Advertisement
In-Article Ad
Reader Poll
Do you believe that the environmental impact of AI development is being adequately addressed?
Connecting to poll...
Read the original article
Visit the source for the complete story.




