India, June 25 -- "Should we choose Artificial Intelligence (AI) growth or climate stability" is the wrong question to ask. Both are imperatives for India's future. However, the real trilemma is this - AI needs large amounts of electricity and water; meanwhile, grids are under stress from energy insecurities as well as extreme heat; and the climate crisis is making both sets of problems worse. We cannot solve any one without solving the other two.

Each hyperscale data centre draws as much electricity as an aluminium smelter and consumes millions of gallons of water daily for cooling - even as heatwaves and the worsening climate crisis turn those resources scarce. Global electricity demand hit a record 31,779 TWh in 2025, after crossing 3...