AI Development Spurs Concerns Over Data Center Heat Emissions

The rapid advancement of artificial intelligence globally has led to an increasing demand for large data centers. According to RTHK, the substantial energy consumption of these centers, along with the significant heat generated during computational processes, has drawn attention from the scientific community in recent years. A recent study by experts at the University of Cambridge in the United Kingdom found that during the operation of data centers, the surrounding ground temperature can rise by an average of approximately 2 degrees Celsius. In extreme cases, the temperature increase can reach up to 9.1 degrees Celsius. This warming effect can radiate up to a 10-kilometer radius, creating a "heat island effect" that impacts the local community environment.