NTT DATA’s new whitepaper, Sustainable AI for a Greener Tomorrow, predicts that AI workloads will drive more than 50% of data centre power consumption by 2028.
The report also underscores the enormous demand for artificial intelligence in electricity, the high water consumption of data centre cooling systems, e-waste, and the extraction of rare-earth minerals for hardware production.
“The resource consequences of AI’s rapid growth and adoption are daunting, but the technology also can empower innovative solutions to the environmental problems it creates,” said David Costa, head of Sustainability Innovation Headquarters, NTT DATA. “
Elevating sustainability
According to NTT DATA’s AI experts and sustainability consultants, organisations must adopt holistic sustainability goals rather than conventional AI performance metrics such as accuracy and speed.
Moreover, they should adhere to standard, verifiable metrics to quantify the environmental impacts of AI and embed sustainability into governance, procurement, and compliance protocols.
NTT DATA also urges organisations to adopt a lifecycle-centred approach, such as lengthening hardware lifespans, optimising cooling systems and applying circular-economy principles.
The report added that systemic change requires cross-sector cooperation with shared accountability across the ecosystem.
“AI’s amazing capabilities can help manage energy grids more efficiently, reduce overall emissions, model environmental risks and improve water conservation. It’s vital for organisations to recognise the challenge and build sustainability into AI systems from the start,” Costa said.
