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Nov. 3, 2024, 7 p.m.
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Projected Surge in AI E-Waste: Crisis Looming by 2030

According to scientists, without implementing any waste reduction measures, e-waste generated by AI is projected to rise substantially from 2, 600 tonnes in 2023 to 2. 5 million tonnes by 2030. This increase would be comparable to approximately two discarded iPhones for each of the estimated 8. 5 billion people globally by that year. The rapid advancement of generative AI necessitates regular upgrades to hardware and chip technology, frequently making older electronic devices outdated.

These devices contain harmful metals like lead and chromium that pose risks to health and the environment, alongside valuable metals such as gold, silver, and platinum which could be recycled. The researchers from the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Reichman University in Israel noted that their findings suggest this e-waste stream might increase, potentially accumulating between 1. 2 million and 5 million tonnes from 2020 to 2030.



Brief news summary

According to scientists from the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Reichman University, the rise of AI technology without effective waste reduction measures could lead to a dramatic surge in e-waste. Projections indicate that e-waste linked to AI will escalate from 2,600 tonnes in 2023 to a staggering 2.5 million tonnes by 2030, equivalent to nearly two discarded iPhones for each of the projected 8.5 billion people worldwide. The increasing demand for generative AI drives frequent hardware upgrades, quickly making existing electronic devices outdated. These discarded devices often contain hazardous materials like lead and chromium, posing risks to both health and the environment, along with valuable metals such as gold, silver, and platinum that hold recycling potential. The researchers caution that the cumulative e-waste could reach between 1.2 to 5 million tonnes during the decade from 2020 to 2030, highlighting an urgent need for sustainable e-waste management strategies.

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