2026 One Health Innovations Vol 4 Issue 1 Resource Use in Artificial Intelligence Data Centres: A One Health Framework Approach

Abstract

Artificial intelligence (AI) is a rapidly advancing technology that supports economic and industrial growth, with increased use promoting global data centre expansion in areas with high freshwater access, including the Great Lakes region. To function, data centres consume large amounts of freshwater and power, resulting in carbon emissions, drought, and the acceleration of climate change. This environmental pressure affects the interconnected health of the environment, non-human animals, and humans, creating a wicked problem best considered through a One Health lens. Data centres also have notable impacts on Indigenous communities in affected regions due to the view of water as sacred and culturally important. This paper will discuss the role of grassroots organizations such as the Oregon Rural Action (ORA) and how their practices can be replicated in the Great Lakes region to protect the stakeholders involved in this wicked problem, ensuring reliable data collection and adequate legislation related to the development of AI data centres. ORA promotes community-based actions to monitor freshwater supply, host assemblies, and ensure safe drinking water for their community. These, alongside other actions such as renewable energies and sustainable systems, can be integrated into agendas which further protect communities from the impacts of data centres. Although steps have been taken to mitigate this wicked problem, standardized reporting of resource use and technological advancements are needed to achieve a solution. Artificial Intelligence Statement: Both authors attest that the submitted article is original work, completed wholly by the group without the use of generative artificial intelligence tools or similar technologies in the research, drafting, or editing processes.