UN chief urges AI firms to disclose environmental footprint

UN Secretary‑General Antonio Guterres called for artificial‑intelligence companies to reveal the carbon, water and land impacts of their data‑center infrastructure and to shift to renewable electricity. He warned that by 2030 AI data centres could consume more power than all countries except five and use 9.3 trillion litres of water annually – enough for the world’s drinking needs for over one and a half years. Guterres launched the AI Environmental Transparency Initiative, asking firms to measure and publish emissions, water use and land use, and to power all centres with green energy by 2030. “If artificial intelligence is to contribute to a better future, we must be honest about what it costs today,” he said.