A new analysis examines the environmental footprint of AI in the United States, suggesting ideal locations for data centers that prioritize lower emissions. These recommended sites differ from where tech companies are currently building. The study comes amid massive investments in infrastructure by firms like Meta and OpenAI.
Tech companies have invested heavily in data centers in recent months, driving the US economy as the AI race accelerates. A new analysis calculates the coming environmental impact of AI, focusing on emissions, energy, and water use associated with data centers.
The study finds that the ideal sites for these facilities to minimize environmental harm are not the locations where construction is underway. Keywords from the analysis include science, environment, artificial intelligence, water, data centers, energy, and emissions.
This comes as Meta chief Mark Zuckerberg informed President Donald Trump last week of plans to spend $600 billion on US infrastructure—including data centers—by 2028. OpenAI has already committed to $1.4 trillion in spending. Such investments underscore the rapid expansion of AI infrastructure but highlight the need for strategic placement to address environmental concerns.