Turning AI factories into climate assets

THE environmental footprint of data centres has come under the spotlight. As data centres expand rapidly to power artificial intelligence (AI) training, cloud computing and digital services, concerns around energy and water use have risen in prominence.

These tensions are increasingly visible on the ground. Recently, data centre developments in Johor drew public scrutiny as residents raised concerns about noise, dust and water shortages, culminating in Malaysia’s first protest against data centres in February.

Such reactions reflect a broader reality: digital infrastructure is inherently resource-intensive, and its footprint will continue to grow alongside demand for AI.