Experts warn environmental costs to powering AI technology is rising

First at Five looks at the environmental impact of artificial intelligence. CTV News

David Shipley, founder of New Brunswick-based cybersecurity firm Beauceron Security, says the electricity and water required to support modern AI systems are far greater than most people realize.

“AI takes incredible amounts of computing power,” said Shipley. “It requires electricity and it requires cooling. It can do a lot of things, but it comes with a big bill.”

Shipley says large data centres that support AI tools can consume as much water as a mid-sized municipality.

“A large AI data centre can use as much water as a 50,000 person city, particularly when they use evaporative cooling systems,” he said.

He notes that in parts of the United States, where many centres are clustered in rural areas, groundwater resources are already under noticeable strain.

While Canada is not currently home to many large-scale AI facilities, he said the environmental risks remain relevant as companies continue to expand.

“The only area data centres may even make sense as they scale, is an area rich in water resources and hydroelectric power,” he said, pointing to Quebec as one example. “But even then, it requires a new level of thinking by public policy planners.”

Shipley warns that if AI development continues unchecked, the technology’s carbon footprint could be equivalent to adding between five and 10 million cars to North America’s roads. He said that estimate does not include emissions associated with manufacturing the processors and servers required for AI workloads.

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