In addition to energy for data centers, the AI revolution is dependent on metals. Copper and lithium extraction in Chile’s Atacama desert has been accelerated to keep pace with generative AI’s need for power plants and power lines. The mining push is devastating the local environment and communities, depleting mineral reserves and water resources and emitting cancer-causing pollutants.

Companies building out and using data centers should also be considering risks from a region’s geopolitical environment. While the access to cheap and abundant energy seemingly makes the Gulf region seem like a good place to situate data centers, the current tensions in the area introduce new concerns. One national security expert suggested that the US Congress should demand that American companies building data centers in the Gulf region contribute $3 billion a year to pay for their defense. 

US states are facing pressure to insulate regular household and business ratepayers from rising electric bills due to the energy demands of data centers. More than a dozen states have taken steps to address the issue.