UN secretary general urges AI giants to disclose environmental impact

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Dive Brief:

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres proposed a framework for artificial intelligence companies to disclose their impacts as part of the UN’s plan for global energy independence.
In a London Climate Action Week keynote on Tuesday, Guterres called on “every major AI company” to measure and publicly disclose their full environmental footprint, including emissions, water and land usage. The UN chief also called on AI companies to commit to powering every data center with renewable energy by 2030.
“No more hidden costs. No more shifting the burden onto those least able to bear it,” Guterres said, according to the UN transcript. “It is time to come clean. If AI is to help build a better future, it must be honest about what it costs us now.”

Dive Insight:

Guterres issued the call for AI companies to disclose their environmental impacts and commit to powering data centers with renewables as part of a seven-point plan for energy independence.

In the United States, data center electricity consumption is projected to grow 300% over the next 10 years and account for “38% of net electricity consumption through 2037,” according to the National Electrical Manufacturers Association.

Guterres said that, globally, AI has the potential by 2030 to use more power than “all but five countries” and “enough water to meet the basic needs of all 1.3 billion residents of sub‑Saharan Africa for an entire year.”

“As demand for energy continues to rise, we must confront one of its fastest growing sources: AI data centers,” Guterres said. “Artificial intelligence can accelerate climate solutions. It can…

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