AI data centers create heat islands stretching 6 miles, affecting 343 million people worldwide

AI datacenters create heat islands around them, paper finds

Researchers say localized warming can extend well past site edges, raising concerns about community impact Datacenters create heat islands that raise surrounding temperatures by several degrees at distances up to 10 km (over 6 miles), which could have an impact on surrounding communities. The findings come from a team at the University of Cambridge, which examined the heat dissipation of large server farms, given the proliferation of these sites due to the current AI mania. Their paper, which has yet to be peer-reviewed, claims that land surface temperatures surrounding datacenters were higher by between 0.3°C and 9.1°C (0.54°F and 16.38°F) after each facility started operations, with the average increase between 1.5°C and 2.4°C (2.7°F and 4.3°F). This effect can still be measured up to 10 km away, although the intensity is reduced by 30 percent at about 7 km (over 4 miles) away. An average monthly land surface temperature increase of 1°C (1.8°F) can be measured up to 4.5 km (about 3 miles) from a typical AI datacenter, and this is comparable to that observed for urban heat island effects, the paper claims. The paper notes that global server farm capacity is growing rapidly, meaning the industry is expected to be one of the most power-hungry sectors in the next decade, adding that power consumption for data processing has been estimated to exceed the amount required for manufacturing in three to five years. Register readers will know that spending on infrastructure by hyperscale operators has tripled over the past three years in response to the AI craze, with the volume of extra capacity added each quarter also increasing - it had risen by 170 percent by the end of last year. One upshot is that global electricity use by massive server farms is set to more than double by 2030, with AI named as the biggest driver. The paper goes on to say that it is therefore logical to expect that the impact of datacenters and AI hyperscaler activities on the environment "might not be negligible." In fact, these AI factories are, in the vast majority of cases, reliant on fossil fuels to generate their electricity. As a result, the steep growth of AI training and use for various applications would translate into a significant increase in emissions. In the US, for example, gas-fired power plant projects in development nearly tripled last year, and the demand for electricity for AI datacenters is leading to a resurgence in coal-fired power plants. Considering only the data heat island effect, the paper claims that up to 343 million people could be affected worldwide, so it may lead (like the urban heat island effect) to impacts on welfare, healthcare, and energy systems. However, the authors note that advances in technology could lessen the heat island effect, such as more energy-efficient electronics or computational methods that make AI training more efficient, reducing power consumption. The paper, "The data heat island effect: quantifying the impact of AI datacenters in a warming world," was highlighted by New Scientist. The magazine quotes Dr Andrea Marinoni, lead author on the paper, as saying the results were surprising and could become a big problem in future. "The message I would like to convey is to be careful about designing and developing datacenters," he told them. Omdia Senior Research Director for Enterprise Infrastructure Vlad Galabov commented that the work is a single, early analysis that has not yet been independently replicated or vetted through peer review, adding that its claims should be treated with caution. The study also looks at changes in land surface temperature (how hot roofs, tarmac and ground surfaces get in the sun), not the near‑surface air temperature that people actually experience, he told The Register. "The signal they see is therefore best understood as another example of the urban‑heat‑island effect from new large buildings, paved areas and associated infrastructure, rather than clear evidence that datacenter waste heat is dramatically warming whole neighborhoods." "Simple physics suggests that even very large datacenters contribute only a small additional heat flux when spread over kilometres, so most of the observed effect is likely driven by land‑use and surface‑cover changes, not by AI compute itself." ®

Data Centers Create Heat Islands Stretching 6 Miles, Study Finds

Data centers have been on the receiving end of increasing public scrutiny, with moratoriums and local protests calling attention to water shortages, higher electricity prices, and deteriorating air quality in the areas around these gargantuan facilities. Now, researchers say there's one more thing to add to that list: Data centers might be heating up the entire neighborhood. They dissipate so much heat that they create heat islands within a 6-mile radius of the facility, according to a preprint study by an international group of researchers. Similar heat islands often exist in city centers, in a phenomenon called the urban heat island effect. Buildings, asphalt, and other city infrastructure tend to trap heat, making cities experience higher temperatures than nearby rural areas. During the daytime, the temperature in urban areas tends to be 1 to 7 degrees Fahrenheit higher than nearby rural areas because of this phenomenon, according to the EPA. Beyond just causing sweltering temperatures, urban heat islands also affect rainfall patterns, worsen air pollution, and even have a direct, disproportionate link to heat-related deaths, according to some studies. The researchers behind the new analysis used remote sensing platforms to measure land surface temperatures in areas neighboring AI data centers. Land surface temperature is basically how hot the ground is, not necessarily how hot the air temperature is. They found that the land in these surrounding areas had gotten 2 degrees Celsius (3.6 degrees F) hotter on average since the data centers began operations. The result has been local microclimate zones, the researchers say, that could impact more than 340 million people worldwide. "Our results show that the data heat island effect could have a remarkable inï¬'uence on communities and regional welfare in the future, hence becoming part of the conversation around environmentally sustainable AI worldwide," the researchers concluded in their paper. The researchers wrote that some notable temperature increases already recorded could be attributed to this. For example, the data center abundant region of Bajio in Mexico has recorded "serious" land surface temperature increases compared to nearby areas since the data centers began operations roughly 20 years ago, they argue. Similar increases have been observed in Spain's Aragon province and northeastern Brazil, both of which host a high concentration of data centers. The world is experiencing a major data center construction boom, with thousands of projects under construction or planned in the United States alone, which means the heat island impact is only going to get more prominent. Data centers and their impact on local temperatures could very well become "an additional factor for environmental and industrial sustainability in the changing climate," the researchers said. The solution is twofold, according to the team, concerning both hardware and software. On the hardware side, advances in semiconductor technology and energy material industries could be used to address some of this heat burden. On the software side, developers could redefine the way they create AI systems, focusing resources on integrating energy efficiency and sustainability requirements as a core part of the design.

AI's growth is creating more heat than emissions

* AI data centers are producing extreme heat islands that extend miles beyond facilities * Over 340 million people experience elevated temperatures due to hyperscale AI facilities * Extreme temperature spikes of up to 16.4 °F have been recorded near data centers The expansion of AI-driven data centers is having a more immediate environmental impact than previously understood, experts have warned. A research team led by Andrea Marinoni at the University of Cambridge claims these facilities, often sprawling over a million square feet, are not only consuming massive amounts of energy but also generate extreme local heating effects, known as heat islands. Marinoni claims, "there are still big gaps in our understanding of the impacts of data centers," emphasizing these effects have been largely overlooked. Measuring heat impacts across global AI data centers The team analysed temperature data from more than 6,000 hyperscale facilities over the past two decades, carefully accounting for global warming trends, seasonal changes, and other local influences. The study found surface temperatures near data centers increased on average by 3.6 °F after operations began, with extreme cases recording rises to 16.4 °F. These heat increases extend far beyond the immediate facility, sometimes affecting areas up to 6.2 miles away. When the affected zones were mapped against population data, over 340 million people across North America, Europe, and Asia were affected, experiencing elevated local temperatures. Observations in Mexico's Bajio region and Aragon, Spain, revealed temperature increases that were inconsistent with those in the surrounding provinces. This suggests that the heat effects were directly attributable to the data centers themselves rather than other environmental factors. "The planned scale-up of data centers could have dramatic impacts on society," Marinoni said. Experts express concern over the rapid pace of AI infrastructure development, which may be outpacing sustainable planning. "The 'rush for AI-gold' appears to be overriding good practice and systemic thinking...and is developing far more rapidly than any broader, more sustainable systems," said Deborah Andrews, emeritus professor at London South Bank University However, experts argue that further research is required to confirm these findings, particularly given the unusually high local temperature spikes reported. The long-term consequences of energy-intensive AI operations warrant greater attention, as climate discussions have historically focused on emissions rather than direct heat effects. Rethinking data center design and operational strategies could enable continued AI expansion while minimizing additional heat stress on neighboring communities and ecosystems. In a world already experiencing intensified extreme weather events, the rapid proliferation of ultra-hot data centers may amplify local and regional environmental challenges. Energy emissions remain a primary concern, but the localized warming caused by hyperscale facilities adds a new dimension of environmental risk that needs evaluation. Via CNN Follow TechRadar on Google News and add us as a preferred source to get our expert news, reviews, and opinion in your feeds. Make sure to click the Follow button! And of course you can also follow TechRadar on TikTok for news, reviews, unboxings in video form, and get regular updates from us on WhatsApp too.

AI data centers create unexpected heat zones across landscapes

Artificial intelligence (AI) is changing the way we live. It helps us search faster, learn better, and connect easily. But behind this smart technology lies a hidden reality. Large buildings filled with powerful computers are working nonstop, and they are warming the land around them. Artificial intelligence is advancing rapidly, driving companies to seek greater computing power for increasingly sophisticated tools. To meet this demand, they are expanding data center infrastructure worldwide. These data centers are large buildings. Inside, thousands of computers work non-stop. Real-estate company JLL says the number of these centers may double between 2025 and 2030. This growth pushes technology forward, but it also brings a new challenge. Data centers use a large amount of electricity, and this energy turns into heat. That heat does not stay inside the building. It slowly spreads into the land around it, raising the temperature of nearby areas. Scientists call this the data-heat-island effect. It is similar to how cities feel hotter than villages. In cities, buildings and roads trap heat. In data centers, machines do the same job. Researchers at the University of Cambridge studied this effect. They found that once a data center starts running, the nearby land becomes warmer. The average rise is about 2°C (3.6°F). In some places, the increase is much higher. It can reach above 9°C (16.2°F) - a big change for a single source. Even a small rise in land temperature matters. It can change how a place feels and how people live. Scientists did not visit every data center. Instead, they used satellites that measure land temperature from space. The researchers collected data from the past 20 years. Then, they matched this data with the locations of thousands of data centers. To keep the results clear, the team avoided busy cities, which have many heat sources. This helped narrow the focus to only the effect of data centers. The pattern was clear. After a data center started working, the land around it became warmer. According to the study, the heat does not stay close to the building - it spreads out. In some cases, the effect reaches up to 10 kilometers (6.2 miles) away. Even far from the center, the land is still warmer than before. At around 7 kilometers (4.3 miles), the heat is still strong. It only drops a little. This means large areas can feel the effect. Some regions already exhibit this change. Parts of Mexico and Spain have seen unusual temperature rises. These places have many data centers. At the same time, their temperatures have risen by about 2°C (3.6°F) over the years. The pattern does not match normal climate changes. This suggests that data centers may be playing a role. Similar trends appear in parts of Brazil as well. This issue goes beyond land alone. People live close to these centers, often without realizing what surrounds them. More than 340 million people reside within 10 kilometers (6.2 miles) of a data center. That means entire communities are part of this story. Many of these people may already be experiencing slightly warmer conditions. The change is subtle, but it is there. Daily life can shift because of this warmth. Homes may need more cooling. Electricity use can rise. Over time, heat can also affect comfort and health in ways that are hard to ignore. Inside a data center, thousands of computers stay active every second. They handle massive amounts of data without pause. All this activity produces heat. Cooling systems work hard to control it, but they cannot capture everything. Some of that heat slips out and spreads into the surrounding area. Over time, it begins to build up. There is also another issue. Not all the energy used actually goes into useful work. A large share turns into heat instead. As AI continues to grow, these machines will demand even more power. And with that, even more heat will follow. There are solutions, and work has already started. One simple idea is to make AI systems more efficient. If machines use less energy, they create less heat. Cooling methods are also improving. Some centers now use liquid instead of air because it removes heat faster. Special materials can also help buildings stay cooler. Energy can be used more wisely too. Systems can run at lower power when demand is low. This helps reduce waste and heat. Good design also matters. Better planning and smarter buildings can lower the overall heat effect. Like what you read? Subscribe to our newsletter for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.

Data centers are so hot, their 'heat island' effect is raising temperatures up to 6 miles away and impacting 343 million people worldwide, study finds | Fortune

Brian Dantz, site operations manager for DPS/Gilbane at the Albany NanoTech Complex in Albany, N.Y., the epicenter of semiconductor chip research in the U.S.Will Waldron/Albany Times Union -- Getty Images AI infrastructure is significantly warming the areas around them, creating a "data heat island effect" with the potential to impact hundreds of millions of people living nearby, a new working paper found. Using a data set of land surface temperatures produced by NASA, a research team led by the Department of Computer Science and Technology at the University of Cambridge found from 2004 to 2024, the surrounding areas of more than 6,000 data centers worldwide saw an average increased land temperature of about 2 degrees Celsius, or 3.6 degrees Fahrenheit. In certain cases, nearby temperatures increased 9 degrees Celsius, or 16.4 degrees Fahrenheit. Researchers calculated these heat islands could be felt about 6.2 miles away from facilities, impacting up to 343 million people globally. "The data heat island effect could have a remarkable influence on communities and regional welfare in the future," the study, which has not yet been peer reviewed, said. Data centers, which store and process immense amounts of data to train AI, have become the foundation of AI-related spending, with capital expenditures for the facilities predicted to reach $760 billion in 2026, according to BloombergNEF estimates, up from $450 billion last year. Hyperscalers like Alphabet have doubled their spending on data centers this year, with Google's parent company alone planning to invest $185 billion into AI infrastructure. The spending for these major tech firms exceeds the GDP of entire countries such as Sweden. The energy required to operate these data centers is immense. Modern AI runs on clusters of tens of thousands of graphics processing units (GPUs), which generate huge amounts of heat requiring ventilation and water to cool down. With some modern data centers spanning hundreds or even thousands of acres, the energy needed to power and cool the facilities can exceed a gigawatt, about enough to power between 750,000 to 1 million homes. The magnitude of necessary power has raised concerns about the environmental impact of data centers, as well as the disruptions they can cause nearby residents. These centers can cause noise pollution, generating noise levels above 90 decibels. Prolonged volumes above 85 decibels are considered harmful to hearing. In arid climates, significant water usage to cool data centers has raised concerns for the potential of droughts. More energy usage has also taxed the U.S.'s aging grid system -- and combined with more extreme weather and increased natural gas costs, have hiked electric bills 7% as of December 2025, according to Goldman Sachs analysts. These increased electricity costs will be passed down to consumers, particularly lower-income Americans, because as businesses like restaurants grapple with increased energy costs, they may increase prices, including of food, to offset those higher costs. "The income and spending drags will likely be larger for lower-income households because electricity accounts for a greater share of their spending, as well as for households in areas with higher concentrations of data centers where regional power markets will tighten more," Goldman Sachs economists Manuel Abecasis and Hongcen Wei wrote in a note to clients in February. To be sure, the heat island study has drawn criticism about how much data centers energy use is truly impacting the environment. Some independent researchers have noted much of the increased land heat from data center construction comes from the energy needed to construct any building where empty land and vegetation once sat, not the heat created by data center activity. These ramifications are substantial, experts say, especially given the question marks about the sustainability of AI spending. According to a recent Moody's analysis, of the total spending commitments made by Alphabet, Amazon, Meta, Microsoft, and Oracle, nearly two-thirds of it, $662 billion, is planned for data center-related leases that have yet to begin. These hyperscalers issued $121 billion in new debt via bonds last year alone. The risks of growing the data center footprint has been exacerbated by the ongoing war in Iran. Not only has the country threatened Nvidia, Apple, Microsoft, and Google with data center attacks, but slashed energy trade has strained data center supply chains. As AI infrastructure expansion grows, so, too, do the financial and environmental risks associated with it. "AI infrastructure is fundamentally an energy-and-cooling challenge wrapped inside a digital-economy opportunity," Lee Poh Seng, a professor specializing in thermal systems at the National University of Singapore (NUS), previously told Fortune. Researchers, however, see a path forward to mitigate the heat island effect of AI infrastructure. They proposed software-based solutions of increasing the efficiency of computational methods to require less energy. Hardware-based solutions include improvements to integrated circuitry, or the structure of the chips themselves, to aid in energy recovery, as well as implementing hybrid cooling systems that combine "liquid cooling at the chip level with system-wide air cooling." "Although the impact of data heat islands can be intense (as it has been previously discussed)," the recent Cambridge study said, "advances in technology in the semiconductor and energy material industries, as well as methodological developments in computer science and electrical engineering, can be used to mitigate their effects."

Data Centers Causing Huge Temperature Spikes for Miles Around Them, Study Suggests

Can't-miss innovations from the bleeding edge of science and tech The data centers at the heart of the AI boom are producing so much heat that they're spiking land temperatures for miles around them by up to 16 degrees Fahrenheit, new research suggests. The effect is so pronounced that the researchers say they're creating entire "heat islands." The findings, detailed in a study that's yet-to-be-peer-reviewed, add to an already grim picture of the environmental impact of these sprawling facilities, the largest of which consume enough energy to power entire cities. Their commensurate greenhouse gas emissions, however, apparently aren't the only way data centers are heating up the world around them. The researchers focused on roughly 8,400 so-called "hyperscalers," the term used to describe data centers of incredible size that offer cloud computing and AI services. Their construction has surged in the past decade, and the AI boom has pushed their demand and scope to new heights; Meta's new "Hyperion" data center, for example, cost $27 billion to build and has an expected computing capacity of five gigawatts, an appetite that takes ten gas-powered plants to sate. Since temperature can be affected by other environmental factors, the researchers examined data centers in more remote locations. When they mapped their locations against regional temperature data over the past 20 years collected by satellites, a clear pattern emerged. Land surface temperatures, meaning the heat of the ground itself rather than the air or climate, increased by an average of 3.6 degrees Fahrenheit after a data center went online in an area -- and in the most extreme cases, the temperature surged by an extraordinary 16 degrees. The effects were local, but far reaching. The researchers found that the temperature increases were felt up to 6.2 miles away -- though they dropped off with distance -- in all affecting more than 340 million people. CNN's coverage notes that the trend held globally: Mexico's burgeoning data center hub in Bajio saw an uptick of around 3.6 degrees over the past 20 years, as did Aragon, Spain, itself a hot new hub for hyperscalers. Study lead author Andrea Marinoni, an associate professor with the Earth Observation group at the University of Cambridge, told CNN that data centers "could have dramatic impacts on society" in terms of the environment, people's welfare and the economy. Other experts were intrigued but cautious about the findings. Ralph Hintemann, a senior researcher at the Borderstep Institute for Innovation and Sustainability, called the figures "interesting" but "very high," underscoring the need to verify the results. The mechanism behind the heating also isn't immediately clear. "It would be worth doing follow-up research to understand to what extent it's the heat generated from computation versus the heat generated from the building itself," Chris Preist at the University of Bristol in the UK told New Scientist, suggesting that sunlight hitting the buildings could be producing the heating effect. This is part of a well-documented phenomenon researchers called the "urban heat island." Among other commentators, however, the temperature of response was much more heated. Andy Masley, a writer who frequently "debunks" claims of AI's environmental impact, called the paper the "single worst writing and research on AI and the environment that I have read" in a lengthy takedown, claiming that the heating effect from sunlight hitting the buildings was powerful enough to look like it was emanating from the ground in satellite data. (Part of his analysis relied on feeding the paper to Claude, however, so make of that what you will.) Whatever's going on, it'd be remiss to lose sight of the facilities' broader environmental impact. "As far as climate change is concerned, the emissions generated by power generation for data centres remain the more alarming aspect," Hintemann told CNN.