Is AI Polluting Our Air?

As AI expands, so does the hidden cost to public health.

Fueled by fossil fuels and diesel generators, power-hungry data centers are contributing to rising levels of harmful air pollutants like PM 2.5 and nitrogen oxides. These pollutants are linked to asthma, heart issues, and cognitive decline, and they don’t stay local. In 2023 alone, pollution from U.S. data centers cost an estimated $6 billion in public health damages.

The good news: companies can reduce harm without slowing progress. We can cut emissions and protect public health by shifting AI workloads to cleaner regions or different times of day.

For more details, visit IEEE Spectrum’s full report.

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