The AI data center e-waste problem is huge — and getting bigger

A new report from the Basel Action Network (BAN) estimates that e-waste generated by AI could reach between 395 to 617 million metric tons by 2050, attributing 15 to 20 percent of global e-waste to AI. This figure is significantly higher than previous estimates, which primarily focused on servers and GPUs, neglecting other critical infrastructure. The report highlights the urgent need for companies and governments to address the impending e-waste crisis associated with AI data centers.