Air pollution from AI tech may cause 1,300 US deaths annually by 2030

AI data centers could cause 1,300 premature deaths annually in the U.S. by 2030 due to air pollution, according to new research from Caltech and UC Riverside scientists.

Key findings: Air pollution from data centers supporting artificial intelligence operations poses a significant public health risk, with environmental impacts comparable to the commercial airline industry.

• Data centers produced at least 106 million metric tons of emissions in the previous year
• Training a large language model like Meta’s Llama-3.1 generates pollution equivalent to over 10,000 cross-country car trips
• Computing power dedicated to AI is doubling every 100 days according to World Economic Forum estimates

Environmental impact: The rapidly growing AI industry requires massive amounts of electricity, largely generated by fossil fuels that create harmful emissions and contribute to climate change.

• Department of Energy projections show data center energy use could double or triple by 2028
• Fossil fuel emissions produce cancer-causing particulate matter, contribute to respiratory illness, and create smog and acid rain
• One in five deaths globally are linked to fossil fuel air pollution, according to previous Harvard research

Community impact: The health burden from AI-related pollution falls disproportionately on vulnerable populations, though effects extend across geographic boundaries.

• Low-income communities face greater exposure to data center pollution
• Public health costs in some areas exceed what tech companies pay for electricity
• Total health-related costs are approaching $20 billion annually

Proposed solutions: Researchers and legislators are calling for greater accountability and regulatory measures to address these environmental concerns.

• Tech companies should be required to report air pollution from power generation and usage
• Affected communities should receive compensation for environmental impacts
• Companies are encouraged to transition to nuclear and cleaner energy sources

Political landscape: Recent developments highlight growing tension between technological advancement and environmental protection.

• The White House reportedly considered executive action to accelerate data center construction
• Democratic senators urged the administration to maintain environmental standards
• New legislation aims to address AI’s environmental impact

Looking ahead: While AI technology offers significant benefits, the research underscores the urgent need to balance technological progress with environmental and public health considerations. The projected death toll serves as a stark reminder that the true cost of AI development extends far beyond operational expenses, demanding immediate attention to sustainable practices and equitable solutions.