The rapid expansion of artificial intelligence infrastructure could generate hundreds of millions of tonnes of electronic waste over the coming decades, creating new challenges for the IT asset disposition (ITAD) and recycling industries.
A whitepaper from environmental group Basel Action Network (BAN), The Coming AI Waste Wave, estimates that between 395 million and 617 million tonnes of AI-related electronic equipment could be retired between 2025 and 2050. The estimate is claimed to be much bigger than earlier projections that focused mainly on servers and AI accelerators, says the organisation.
Beyond servers
According to BAN, servers and accelerators account for ‘only’ 13% of the equipment mass associated with a reference AI data centre. The analysis also includes networking equipment, power infrastructure, cooling systems, backup power and other equipment that could be retired as AI systems evolve and hardware refresh cycles accelerate.
The scale of the potential waste stream could put additional pressure on collection, reverse logistics, processing and recycling infrastructure. It also raises questions about how companies will manage the security risks associated with equipment leaving data centres.
ITAD process
AI infrastructure can contain sensitive information, including system configurations, credentials, proprietary software and other corporate data. As equipment enters the ITAD process, maintaining control of those assets and documenting their handling becomes an important part of the disposal process, BAN argues.
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