A.I. Data Center Pollution Poses Health Threat, Former E.P.A. Officials Warn

Former E.P.A. officials have raised alarms about the health risks posed by air pollution from gas-fired power plants that supply data centers, projecting that this pollution could add $20 billion in annual health care costs by 2028. This issue highlights the environmental and public health implications of the booming demand for artificial intelligence and cloud computing, urging a reevaluation of energy sources and practices. The warning underscores the urgent need for cleaner, more sustainable technologies to mitigate these impending costs and protect public health.