The computers and servers that power AI require rare metals like lithium, cobalt and rare earths that need to be mined. These go on to be used in components like special graphics processing units or GPUs. That causes considerable environmental impacts, particularly as in many cases, the minerals are toxic and are being mined in countries where there are no protections for miners' health and safety.
When these devices break or are replaced, they add to *electronic waste* (e-waste).E-waste can leak harmful substances like lead and mercury into the soil and water. By 2030, an estimated 1.2 million to 5 million tonnes of e-waste will have been produced by AI. And given that according to a 2022 UN study, 78% of the planet’s e-waste ends up in landfills or unofficial recycling sites, that’s a big addition to an already huge problem.
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