The vast data centers that power artificial intelligence guzzle huge amounts of energy but they also have another alarming impact, according to new research. They are creating “heat islands,” warming the land around them by up to 16 degrees Fahrenheit, and making life hotter for more than 340 million people.

There are still big gaps in our understanding of the impacts of data centers, even as they boom in number, said Andrea Marinoni, associate professor with the Earth Observation group at the University of Cambridge, and an author of the study, which has not yet been peer-reviewed.

Marinoni and his colleagues decided to dig into one under-researched impact: the heat they release through their energy-intensive processes, including computation and powering cooling systems.

To do this, they looked at temperature data over the last 20 years from remote sensors and mapped it against the locations of AI “hyperscalers” — vast data centers that house thousands of servers and can stretch over a million square feet, which have mostly been built within the last decade.

They focused on more than 6,000 data centers located away from highly dense urban areas, as surface temperatures around these were less likely to have been affected by other factors, such as manufacturing or the heating of homes. The researchers also filtered out seasonal impacts, global warming trends and other influences.

They found surface temperatures increased by an average of 3.6 degrees Fahrenheit after a data center started operations. In extreme cases, nearby temperatures increase by up to 16.4 degrees Fahrenheit.

These increases were consistent across the globe, the researchers found. In Mexico’s Bajio region, for example, which has become a data center hub, the study found unexplained temperature rises of around 3.6 degrees over the last 20 years. A similar situation was seen in Aragon, Spain, a European center for hyperscale AI data centers, which recorded a temperature increase of 3.6 degrees which was not replicated in neighboring provinces.

Strikingly, the impacts weren’t limited to a data center’s immediate surroundings; temperature increases affected areas up to 6.2 miles away, the research found, affecting more than 340 million people.

The findings are particularly alarming, the scientists say, because AI data centers are set to boom over the next few years, and these temperature rises come as planet-warming pollution is already making heat waves more extreme around the world.

The planned scale up of data centers “could have dramatic impacts on society” in terms of the environment, people’s welfare and the economy, Marinoni said.

Deborah Andrews, emeritus professor of design for sustainability and circularity at London South Bank University, who was not involved in the research, said there are plenty of concerns over the impacts of data centers but this was the first paper she’d seen focusing on the heat they produce.

“The ‘rush for AI-gold’ appears to be overriding good practice and systemic thinking,” she said, “and is developing far more rapidly than any broader, more sustainable systems.”

Other experts say more research is needed to verify the results. The study provides “some interesting figures” but the effects reported “seem very high,” said Ralph Hintemann, a senior researcher at the Borderstep Institute for Innovation and Sustainability. “As far as climate change is concerned, the emissions generated by power generation for data centres remain the more alarming aspect,” he added.

Marinoni wants the research to spark more discussion about how to reduce AI’s impacts. “There still might be time to consider the possibility of a different path … without affecting the demand of AI and its ability to provide progress for mankind,” he added.

Pretty much earliest 100° on record by like 3 weeks. o_O

Stay cool, everyone!

I'm looking for a surveyor to do a boundary survey in Tucson. Does anyone have any recommendations?

(Not my house, just a super cool truck I ride by on Blacklidge all the time.)

Saguaros by moonlight on Tumamoc Hill

Join us 11/22 7pm at Hunter’s kitten lounge for Kitty Haha!

I'm still looking for a home for my sweet PACC foster. I originally intended to give him a 2 week shelter break but he's such a good boy I've had him for six months now. However I'm taking on an extra job and coordinating care for him is becoming untenable. I'm also moving overseas next year so it's not feasible for me to adopt him, but I desperately do not want to take him back to PACC! Here's why you should adopt Rocky:

He's about 6 years old, pitbull terrier, lost an ear due to a gunshot wound from what I was told. He hears just fine out of the other ear! He has had a rough life, he has a lot of scars on his body, but he is very calm, loving, and patient. He has no anxiety whatsoever. Housebroken, non-destructive when left at home (will counter surf though so keep food put away 😂), is very tolerant of grooming, putting shoes on, etc. He has zero reaction to fireworks, vacuums, car washes, etc. Very calm and well-behaved in the car.

He had a kennel mate at PACC so he has been OK with other dogs. He's non reactive to almost all dogs and generally ignores cats as well. He LOVES kids and stands very still while they pet him. Even very small kids feel safe petting him.

He doesn't like toys or fetch etc so you won't spend a lot of money on that stuff! His absolute favorite thing is exploring. He loves going on walks, going to the park, going to pet shops, and visiting friends' houses. Most of the time he just sleeps but he will move around the house so he's just sleeping in whatever room you happen to be in. I gave him the option to sleep in my bed at night but he prefers the sofa and his doggy bed.

Please help me find him a home so he doesn't have to go back to PACC! He would be such a great companion for the right person or family!

Hotel McCoy August 30 8 PM - Family friendly

Free comedy show at brick box brewing September 5 at 8 PM

This really sucks… they plan to build here with or without city approval.

Remember to write the city council and mayor, folks! And the next public meeting about this is Wednesday (see earlier post).

Free comedy show at hotel McCoy this Saturday!