AI Data Centers are Warming Up Earth; 340 Million Affected: New Study

March 31, 2026 03:37 PM IST | Written by Neelam Sharma | Edited by Vaibhav Jha

A new study suggests that large Artificial Intelligence (AI) data centers are increasing surface temperatures by 2°C on average, thereby creating the “data heat island effect” that could affect 340 million people.

The study titled ‘Data Heat Island Effect: Quantifying the Impact of AI Data Centers in a Warming World’ has taken into account 6733 data centers around the world, all located outside highly dense urban areas.

“We estimate that the land surface temperature increases by 2°C on average after the start of operations of an AI data center, inducing local microclimate zones, which we call the data heat island effect. We assess the impact on the communities, quantifying that more than 340 million people could be affected by this temperature increase,” read an excerpt from the study.

The study was prepared by a 12-member international team of researchers led by University of Cambridge. It has not been peer reviewed yet.

The study suggests that these “data center heat islands” can spread heat up to 10 km away and may already be affecting around 340 million people worldwide as AI infrastructure rapidly grows.

The team, led by Andrea Marinoni, associate professor with the Earth Observation group at the University of Cambridge, used satellite data to track temperature records over the last 20 years and compared them to the locations of major data centers. They found that once a data center starts operating, nearby land becomes noticeably hotter. Similar patterns were seen in regions like Mexico’s Bajio and Spain’s Aragon, where temperatures rose without any other clear reason.

Data centers are large-scale centralized buildings hosting IT infrastructure- servers, storage systems and networking equipment to store, process and manage vast amounts of data. These servers require large amounts of electricity and water, and they produce a lot of extra heat, which combined with lack of green space and presence of construction material, lead to “heat island” effect.

Climate activists and local communities have been protesting against the expansion of data centers in U.K. and U.S. with a recent protest march held in London.

Also Read: U.S. Unveils New AI Safety Framework. But Can It Balance Risk and Innovation?

Authors

Neelam Sharma

Neelam Sharma is a passionate storyteller, and journalist with over a decade of experience across leading Indian media houses.
Known for her calm presence on screen and powerful storytelling off it, Neelam brings a rare blend of credibility, creativity, and empathy to journalism. Her strength lies in ground reporting and research-driven narratives that connect with the heart of the audience. Whether covering social issues, human-interest features, or breaking news, she combines factual depth with a human touch—making every story not just informative.

Vaibhav Jha

Vaibhav Jha is an Editor and Co-founder of AI FrontPage. In his decade long career in journalism, Vaibhav has reported for publications including The Indian Express, Hindustan Times, and The New York Times, covering the intersection of technology, policy, and society. Outside work, he’s usually trying to persuade people to watch Anurag Kashyap films.