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Scientists have found an alarming environmental impact of vast data centers

March 20, 2026
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Image of a data center in Virginia

The vast data centers that power artificial intelligence guzzle huge amounts of energy but they also have another alarming impact, according to new research. They are creating “heat islands,” warming the land around them by up to 16 degrees Fahrenheit, and making life hotter for more than 340 million people. To learn more, click here.