As the AI boom continues, data centers are proliferating globally, leading to significant adverse effects on health and the environment. A study from UC Riverside and Caltech indicates that increased pollution from these centers could result in 1,300 premature deaths annually from diseases like cancer and asthma by 2030. Health costs associated with AI data centers already exceed $1.5 billion in 2023. Local communities, particularly low-income ones, face heightened risks, as these facilities exploit resources and inflate energy costs, exacerbating health disparities and environmental damage.
"AI data centers not only consume large amounts of energy but also produce significant amounts of air pollution... potentially causing 1,300 premature cancer and asthma deaths by 2030."
"The total cost of AI-connected illness was $1.5 billion in 2023, reflecting a 20 percent increase from 2022 due to increased health burdens on local communities."
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