20,000 Kilometers of Code: AI's Secret Voyage Across The Ocean
Institute of the Americas · 2025-05-01
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Institute of the Americas. 2025-05-01. 20,000 Kilometers of Code: AI's Secret Voyage Across The Ocean. https://iamericas.org/20000-kilometers-of-code-ais-secret-voyage-across-the-ocean/ (AI & Environment Resource Hub; record report-168; collection snapshot 2026-09-15).
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Artificial Intelligence (AI) has the potential to transform how water is managed. Yet, these emerging opportunities raise critical considerations around issues such as data governance, energy use, and the environmental footprint of digital infrastructure. To explore these challenges and opportunities, IWRA is launching a new webinar series: "The Promises and Challenges of AI, Data Centres & Freshwater Futures". Bringing together experts from around the world, the series examines the intersection of emerging technologies and water sustainability.
youtube.com
Shared topics: Cross-cutting sustainability; Governance and society; Water; Oceans and coasts; Built environment and infrastructure
This Week, hosts Tzviya and Kate are joined by AI ethicist Masheika Allgood to discuss the growing environmental impact of AI data centers through the lens of water use. Drawing on a new case study from Georgia, the conversation explores how communities can better understand the local effects of AI infrastructure, why transparency and public engagement matter, and what policymakers, developers, and residents should consider before new data centers are built.
youtube.com
Shared topics: Cross-cutting sustainability; Governance and society; Water; Oceans and coasts; Built environment and infrastructure
AI has potential to transform not only the way we interact with technology, but our water needs – and without careful consideration this may not be for the better. AI and Data Centre water demand could pose a substantial threat to water security worldwide and within the UK if not thought about ahead of time. This report, produced by the Co-Chair of our Planetary Impact working Group, investigates these projections and what they could mean here in the UK for our water security, as well as how we can tackle these issues. Given the expected cost of water scarcities in the UK is £25 billion over the next 5 years, we must consider AI’s role in water efficiency. Currently, there are significant gaps in legislation to manage the social, environmental and economic impacts of AI’s water usage. By using AI for improving water efficiency and infrastructure, as well as enforcing its own sustainable operation, we can cement the UK as a leader in sustainable digital governance. #GDSA #DigitalSustainability #SustainableAI #NetZero #AI
Government Digital Sustainability Alliance
Shared topics: Cross-cutting sustainability; Governance and society; Oceans and coasts; Built environment and infrastructure
AI and ML optimize optoelectronic systems for sustainability by enhancing energy efficiency, renewable energy harvesting, environmental monitoring, and smart cities while also advancing ocean optics and photonics for marine ecosystem monitoring and climate change mitigation.
