AI-linked e-waste expected to swell dramatically by 2050
A report from the Basel Action Network projects that by 2050, AI-related electronic waste could fill 23 million shipping containers—enough to wrap around the planet six times. Unlike previous studies, the report includes the full range of gear supporting AI in data centers, from power supplies to networking cables. E-waste from AI alone could reach up to 13.1 million metric tons yearly, with the US a major contributor.
- Report by Basel Action Network
- E-waste estimates now include full data center infrastructure
- By 2050, AI could make up 20% of global e-waste
- US has not ratified rules limiting hazardous e-waste exports
Sources covering this
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