A rising tide of e-waste, made worse by AI, threatens our health, the environment and the economy

Article

Vaduva, A. and Chang, K. 2024. A rising tide of e-waste, made worse by AI, threatens our health, the environment and the economy. The Conversation.
AuthorsVaduva, A. and Chang, K.
Abstract

With AI accelerated adoption across industries, the environmental footprint of tech waste is becoming a stringent issue. A recent study shows that e-waste could potentially reach 1.2-5.0 million metric tons by 2030, which is around 1,000 times more e-waste than was produced in 2023. This increase, coupled with the obsolescence cycles of high-tech devices, could massively affect global sustainability goals.

This article will analyse the emerging relationship between AI advancement and the volume of e-waste. It will also examine potential global strategies for pro-active management of e-waste and highlight innovative solutions aimed at reducing the environmental impact.

Target audience: This article is aimed at academics, policymakers, tech industry leaders, sustainability advocates, and the general public interested in the intersection of technology and environmental stewardship.

Keywordse-waste
JournalThe Conversation
Year2024
PublisherThe Conversation Trust (UK)
Accepted author manuscript
File Access Level
Anyone
Publisher's version
File Access Level
Anyone
Web address (URL)https://theconversation.com/a-rising-tide-of-e-waste-made-worse-by-ai-threatens-our-health-the-environment-and-the-economy-244203
Publication dates
Online29 Nov 2024
Publication process dates
Deposited03 Feb 2025
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