New Delhi, June 5 -- The rapid expansion of artificial intelligence (AI) could come with a significant environmental cost, with a new United Nations report warning that rising energy demand from AI systems may put further pressure on global resources.
According to the report, AI-related energy consumption could double by 2030, potentially accounting for around 3 per cent of the world's total electricity use. The resulting carbon emissions could reach levels comparable to the United Kingdom's current emissions, and water consumption for cooling data centres could far exceed the annual drinking water requirements of global population.
The report highlights that AI's growth could follow the economic principle known as the "Jevons paradox", w...