Join the Fight: Environmental Groups Call on AI Industry to Slash Emissions for a Greener Future | Digital Watch Observatory

Activists are raising alarms about the environmental impact of AI infrastructure, noting that it increases emissions and drains water resources.

Over 100 organizations, including Amnesty International and the AI Now Institute, are urging the AI industry and regulators to take action on this issue. In an open letter sent before a major AI conference in Paris, they expressed serious concerns about the rising emissions, the heavy use of fossil fuels, and the depletion of natural resources tied to AI infrastructure.

The letter calls on tech companies and governments to make data centers more eco-friendly, ideally running without fossil fuels. They warn that if current trends continue, electricity demands from AI could double by 2026, approaching the same level as Japan’s total annual consumption. AI infrastructure not only consumes energy but also requires significant amounts of water for cooling systems, which further strains our limited resources. Transparency regarding AI’s overall environmental effects is a vital component of their message.

Despite these pressing concerns, the US government seems intent on pushing AI development forward. President Trump is advocating for quicker approval processes for new power stations, some of which still rely on coal. The organizations behind the letter emphasize that unchecked AI growth disproportionately affects communities that are already vulnerable to climate change. They call for a more responsible and sustainable approach to AI development that considers long-term environmental health.

Check out this related article: “Reviving the Aral Sea: How Record Water Inflows and Green Initiatives Spark Environmental and Economic Renewal” – The Astana Times