AI Boom Predicted to Drastically Increase E-Waste by 2030

A new study highlights the environmental impact of AI technology, projecting millions of tons of electronic waste in the coming years.

Researchers estimate that global electronic waste from AI could increase by 3% to 12% by 2030, amounting to 2.5 million metric tons annually.
The rapid development of AI requires frequent upgrades to data center hardware, leading to increased obsolescence and waste.
Generative AI applications are energy-intensive, contributing to higher carbon emissions and increased strain on power grids.
Most electronic waste ends up in landfills, often in lower-income countries where workers face hazardous conditions.
Adopting circular economy strategies, such as recycling hardware, could mitigate the projected rise in e-waste.