Big tech companies are under increased scrutiny regarding their disclosures about the environmental impact of artificial intelligence (AI). Reports from Google, Amazon, and Microsoft indicate that emissions and water usage are rising as AI infrastructure expands, highlighting discrepancies in the information provided by these companies. Boris Gamazaychikov, co-founder of Sustainable AI Group, noted that there is reluctance among companies to share detailed information due to competitive dynamics and public company status.
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has called for tech companies to disclose the full environmental footprint of their data centers, including carbon, water, and land use. While executives from these companies express support for transparency, the level of reporting varies significantly. Currently, there are no legal requirements for companies to disclose many AI-related environmental metrics, nor is there a common reporting standard.
Kara Hurst, Amazon's chief sustainability officer, stated that all companies should disclose their environmental footprints and expressed a desire for a unified reporting standard. An analysis by Alex de Vries-Gao ranked the companies based on their transparency, with Meta leading, followed by Google and Microsoft in a close second, and Amazon ranking last due to limited disclosures.
While companies are investing billions in clean energy projects, the benefits may take years to materialize. As data centers expand, the need for electricity and cooling is increasing, leading to a shift from water-intensive cooling methods to more energy-intensive alternatives. Experts suggest that tech companies should account for the water used in electricity generation, as it can significantly exceed the water consumed at data centers.
Some environmental advocates argue that holding companies accountable for associated electricity water use may not be entirely fair, but it could encourage a transition to renewable energy sources. Gamazaychikov believes that pressure from customers will drive more transparency and accountability in the absence of government regulations.