The environmental cost of artificial intelligence and large-scale computing

Abstract

The rapid development of artificial intelligence and cloud computing has significantly increased demand for computational resources and data centre infrastructure. This study examines the environmental impact of large-scale computing, focusing on energy consumption, carbon emissions, water usage, and electronic waste. It analyses statistical evidence to estimate the ecological costs of training and operating machine learning models. Particular attention is given to growing computational demands and global infrastructure expansion. The paper also discusses strategies for improving sustainability, including algorithm optimisation, renewable energy use, and advances in data centre design.