Science academy examines environmental impacts of AI data centers, urges coordination

The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine has released a report that summarizes expert opinions about environmental impacts from the growth of data centers that support artificial intelligence, signaling an emerging consensus on greater coordination between the tech industry and electricity generators on siting facilities to power AI development.

The report distributed May 6 draws from assertions and recommendations voiced by experts at a meeting late last year hosted by the National Academies’ roundtable on AI and climate...