AI’s water and electricity use soars in 2025

A data center under construction in Phoenix, Arizona in 2024. | Photo: Getty Images

AI created as much carbon pollution this year as New York City and guzzled up as much H20 as people consume globally in water bottles, according to new estimates.

The study paints what's likely a pretty conservative picture of AI's environmental impact since it's based on the relatively limited amount of data that's currently available to the public. A lack of transparency from tech companies makes it...