The world is abuzz with the potential of artificial intelligence (AI), and the datacentre boom is a testament to its allure. But amidst the excitement, a ticking time bomb looms: the environmental and social costs of this technological revolution. As an expert commentator, I find myself grappling with the implications of this boom, questioning whether the benefits truly outweigh the costs. The datacentre boom is a global phenomenon, with over 10,000 active centres worldwide, and Australia is no exception. The economic, environmental, and social consequences are profound, yet governments seem to be taking a laissez-faire approach. The term 'infrastructure' is often thrown around, but datacentres are neither 'hard' nor 'soft' infrastructure. They are a unique beast, and their benefits and costs must be examined separately. AI has the potential to benefit humanity, from relieving congestion in Shanghai to improving diagnosis accuracy worldwide. However, the costs cannot be ignored. The Australian Prudential Regulation Authority has warned of the accelerating cybersecurity risk posed by AI, and the energy and water consumption of datacentres is a major concern. Australia's datacentres are expected to triple our energy and water consumption by 2030, at a time when we should be electrifying as fast as possible using renewable energy. The waste heat from datacentres is another significant problem, especially in a warming world. The economic benefits of the datacentre boom are questionable. While business investment has lifted, most of the equipment must be imported, and datacentres do not create many jobs. The benefits of AI are often talked about in terms of productivity gains, but these are difficult to quantify and may not materialise as quickly as expected. The assistant minister for science, technology, and the digital economy, Andrew Charlton, has noted that Australia is at a crossroads. We can either be a 'technology taker' or a 'world-class adopter and creator and exporter of AI technology'. However, Australia's poor record on commercialising ideas and keeping profits at home suggests that the latter option will be much harder. The datacentre and AI landscape raises deeper questions about the role of technology in society. As an expert, I believe that governments must ensure that technology works for the people, not the other way around. The costs of the datacentre boom cannot be ignored, and a cost-benefit analysis must be conducted. The environmental and social costs are significant, and the benefits of AI must be realised without causing further harm. The world is at a critical juncture, and the decisions made now will shape the future of AI and datacentres. As an expert commentator, I find myself grappling with the implications of this boom, questioning whether the benefits truly outweigh the costs. The answer lies in a careful examination of the costs and benefits, and a commitment to ensuring that technology works for the people, not the other way around.
