UN chief calls on AI firms to come clean on environmental costs

The United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres, has called on major artificial intelligence companies to publicly disclose the full environmental cost of their data centers and commit to powering them with renewable energy. Speaking at London Climate Action Week, Guterres launched the U.N.'s AI Environmental Transparency Initiative, citing concerns from environmental groups over the rapid development of data centers, their high energy and water use, and a lack of transparency.

Guterres warned that by 2030, AI data centers could consume more power than all but five countries and enough water to meet the basic needs of 1.3 billion residents in sub-Saharan Africa for an entire year. He urged AI firms to measure and publicly disclose their water, carbon, and land use impacts, and to aim for 100% renewable energy for data centers by 2030, stating that "If AI is to help build a better future, it must be honest about what it costs us now." The initiative comes as AI companies currently rely on voluntary net-zero commitments and are exploring various power sources, including gas and nuclear, for new projects. The article also briefly mentioned the absence of data center signs in Mantua, Ohio on June 15.