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AI Data Centres Raise Land Temperatures, Impacting 340 Million

3/28/2026

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Summary

Story summary

A study by researchers from the University of Cambridge finds AI data centres raise land temperatures, affecting about 340 million people.
Land surface temperatures rose by an average of 2°C after data centres began operations.
Some areas experienced increases up to 9.1°C.
The effects extend up to 10 kilometres from the centres.
Chris Preist of the University of Bristol calls for research to distinguish heat from computation and building materials.

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Story summary

A study by researchers from the University of Cambridge finds AI data centres raise land temperatures, affecting about 340 million people.
Land surface temperatures rose by an average of 2°C after data centres began operations.
Some areas experienced increases up to 9.1°C.
The effects extend up to 10 kilometres from the centres.
Chris Preist of the University of Bristol calls for research to distinguish heat from computation and building materials.