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Does AI Have a Positive or Negative Impact on Our Environment?
Does AI Have a Positive or Negative Impact on Our Environment?
Author(s): Wybee A. Baker, Kelly A. Patterson, Atar M. MacCurtin, Amisha Kalakheti
Author(s): Wybee A. Baker, Kelly A. Patterson, Atar M. MacCurtin, Amisha Kalakheti
11/12/2025
11/12/2025
Claim: Our big question debates both the positive and negative impacts Artificial Intelligence (AI) has had on our environment, as well as addressing concerns in regard to is ecological footprint. There is no definitive answer, however the information presented in this article will address any and all concerns you may have to come to develop your own insight and ponder your own conclusions.
Claim: Our big question debates both the positive and negative impacts Artificial Intelligence (AI) has had on our environment, as well as addressing concerns in regard to is ecological footprint. There is no definitive answer, however the information presented in this article will address any and all concerns you may have to come to develop your own insight and ponder your own conclusions.
Introduction
Introduction
Despite being a new development in technology, AI has quickly found its place in our society. Though a helpful research tool, many issues have been established due to the increased risk of AI's ability to adapt to human language and replicate human behavior, generate some potentially unethical and incriminating forms of media, and overwhelming presence in education and politics. There are numerous problems that have yet to be acknowledged, though one that has slipped under the radar is the concern for our environment in relevance to AI and its broad list of capabilities.
Despite being a new development in technology, AI has quickly found its place in our society. Though a helpful research tool, many issues have been established due to the increased risk of AI's ability to adapt to human language and replicate human behavior, generate some potentially unethical and incriminating forms of media, and overwhelming presence in education and politics. There are numerous problems that have yet to be acknowledged, though one that has slipped under the radar is the concern for our environment in relevance to AI and its broad list of capabilities.
Quick Questions
Quick Questions
Q: Does AI have a digital footprint?
A: Yes
Q: Can AI contribute to global warming concerns?
A: Yes
Q: Does AI (itself) pollute our environment
A: No
Where is the Truth?
Where is the Truth?
Artificial Intelligence has both positive and negative effects on the environment. According to multiple credible sources, AI can optimize energy use in smart grids and improve efficiency in sectors such as agriculture and transportation. However, the research shows that training large models and running data centers consume massive amounts of energy and water. These systems rely heavily on electricity, often from fossil fuels, which increases greenhouse gas emissions. One report confirms that AI data centers “consume 4.4% of U.S. electricity,” and “training these models involves thousands of GPUs running continuously for months.” Cooling these systems also uses large amounts of water, contributing to stress in regions already facing shortages.
Artificial Intelligence has both positive and negative effects on the environment. According to multiple credible sources, AI can optimize energy use in smart grids and improve efficiency in sectors such as agriculture and transportation. However, the research shows that training large models and running data centers consume massive amounts of energy and water. These systems rely heavily on electricity, often from fossil fuels, which increases greenhouse gas emissions. One report confirms that AI data centers “consume 4.4% of U.S. electricity,” and “training these models involves thousands of GPUs running continuously for months.” Cooling these systems also uses large amounts of water, contributing to stress in regions already facing shortages.
Thoughts of a Professional
Thoughts of a Professional
Experts from institutions such as the MIT Climate and Sustainability Consortium warn that the “demand for new data centers cannot be met in a sustainable way.” Lead researcher Noman Bashir said that most electricity powering these centers “must come from fossil fuel-based power plants.” The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), and the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) all confirm that AI’s environmental footprint is large and often underreported. The GAO (2025) found that Microsoft and Google data centers each used billions of liters of water in 2023, while Morrison et al. (2025) estimated that training a medium-sized model used 2.8 million liters of freshwater.
Experts from institutions such as the MIT Climate and Sustainability Consortium warn that the “demand for new data centers cannot be met in a sustainable way.” Lead researcher Noman Bashir said that most electricity powering these centers “must come from fossil fuel-based power plants.” The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), and the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) all confirm that AI’s environmental footprint is large and often underreported. The GAO (2025) found that Microsoft and Google data centers each used billions of liters of water in 2023, while Morrison et al. (2025) estimated that training a medium-sized model used 2.8 million liters of freshwater.
Context and Background
Context and Background
The discussion around AI’s environmental impact has grown because of the rapid expansion of artificial intelligence systems. One article notes that AI has a “dual environmental role,” meaning it can support sustainability if designed responsibly, but also contribute to pollution if unchecked. The global increase in AI data centers from 2022 to 2023 doubled North America’s energy demand from 2,688 megawatts to 5,341 megawatts. This surge in energy and water usage aligns with warnings from global agencies about the unsustainable pace of technological growth. Organizations such as UNEP and ITU have started calling for transparent energy and water reporting, along with ethical design policies that align with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.
The discussion around AI’s environmental impact has grown because of the rapid expansion of artificial intelligence systems. One article notes that AI has a “dual environmental role,” meaning it can support sustainability if designed responsibly, but also contribute to pollution if unchecked. The global increase in AI data centers from 2022 to 2023 doubled North America’s energy demand from 2,688 megawatts to 5,341 megawatts. This surge in energy and water usage aligns with warnings from global agencies about the unsustainable pace of technological growth. Organizations such as UNEP and ITU have started calling for transparent energy and water reporting, along with ethical design policies that align with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.
Analysis
Analysis
The fact-check process used several independent reports and technical analyses to verify these findings. The research relied on quantitative data from sources like MIT, UNEP, and GAO to confirm the environmental costs of AI. It found consistent evidence across studies showing that data center operations are responsible for large amounts of electricity use, carbon emissions, and water depletion. The reports also highlight that most companies have not provided full transparency about their total energy and water usage. Recommended solutions include switching to renewable energy, improving hardware efficiency, adopting dry or closed-loop cooling systems, and placing AI infrastructure in cooler regions to limit environmental strain.
The fact-check process used several independent reports and technical analyses to verify these findings. The research relied on quantitative data from sources like MIT, UNEP, and GAO to confirm the environmental costs of AI. It found consistent evidence across studies showing that data center operations are responsible for large amounts of electricity use, carbon emissions, and water depletion. The reports also highlight that most companies have not provided full transparency about their total energy and water usage. Recommended solutions include switching to renewable energy, improving hardware efficiency, adopting dry or closed-loop cooling systems, and placing AI infrastructure in cooler regions to limit environmental strain.
See Our Sources & How We Did It:
See Our Sources & How We Did It:
Intelligence (AI) End-to-End: The Environmental Impact of the Full AI
Matters: How to Assess AI’s Environmental Impact (2025).
Student/Researcher Process Reports:
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