AI’s growing appetite for power is a public health issue. Here’s a fix

June 18, 2026 - 08:51

The rapid expansion of artificial intelligence is driving a surge in electricity consumption that carries serious consequences for human health, according to two public health researchers. In a new commentary, Sten H. Vermund and Patricia J. Kissinger argue that the energy needed to power massive data centers is creating a largely overlooked strain on public health systems.

"AI is creating a new and largely overlooked strain on something fundamental to health," they write. The problem stems from the fact that most of this electricity still comes from fossil fuels. As data centers multiply to support AI training and operations, they release more pollutants into the air. These emissions are linked to respiratory illnesses, cardiovascular problems, and premature deaths, particularly in communities located near power plants or along transportation routes for coal and gas.

The authors point out that the issue is not just about climate change. It is a direct, local health hazard. Low-income neighborhoods and communities of color often bear the brunt of this pollution, worsening existing health disparities. They call for a fix that involves shifting AI infrastructure toward renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind, and improving the efficiency of the algorithms themselves.

Vermund and Kissinger emphasize that the tech industry must take responsibility. Without deliberate action, the health costs of AI's appetite for power will continue to mount, affecting millions of people who never use the technology directly. The solution, they argue, is not to halt AI development but to power it more cleanly and equitably.