Thirsty Silicon: The Hidden Costs of Big Tech’s AI Boom (Part 1) (Download)
By now, it’s no secret that utility companies are struggling to meet the unprecedented surge on North America’s aging power grids, particularly due to rapidly rising demands for AI-based services from new data centers popping up across the country. New energy plants, transmission lines, and faltering coal plants are all leading to increased utility bills for ratepayers.
In addition, the AI boom is creating a second, less well-known crisis: The data centers’ thirst for cooling water strains the water supplies and water-related infrastructures in many areas.