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Data centres are necessary for the operation of artificial intelligence but are also significant energy consumers. This increased energy usage leads to the release of air pollutants, which can impact public health. By 2030, it is estimated that data centres could contribute to 600,000 asthma cases and 1300 premature deaths annually in the US. These health impacts are not confined to the local areas where data centres are located, as pollutants can travel long distances.
Researchers at the University of California, Riverside, predict these health effects based on the rising electricity demand from data centres, which often rely on fossil fuels. The emissions produced from powering large AI models can be equivalent to driving a car from Los Angeles to New York City thousands of times. The overall public health cost of data centres in the US could exceed $20 billion by 2030, reflecting the potential health impact.
Efforts are being made by tech companies to support cleaner energy sources for data centres. However, the current reliance on fossil fuels, particularly natural gas, raises concerns about the future environmental and health implications of data centre operations.
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Vocabulary List:
6 words · tap to reveal
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AccentSpeed
centres/ˈsɛn.tərz/noun
Facilities that house computer systems and associated components such as telecommunications and storage systems.
pollutants/pəˈluː.tənts/noun
Substances that contaminate the air water or soil and can cause harm to health or the environment.
predicted/prɪˈdɪktɪd/verb
Declared or indicated in advance that something will happen based on present signs or previous experience.
emissions/ɪˈmɪʃənz/noun
Releases of gases or particles into the atmosphere especially those that contribute to pollution.
equivalent/ɪˈkwɪv.ə.lənt/adjective
Equal in value amount function meaning etc.
fossil fuels/ˈfɒs.əl fjuːlz/noun
Natural fuels formed from the remains of ancient plants and animals used as a source of energy.
