Topic: 2025 – Artificial Intelligence and Resource Consumption
Country: Slovenia
Delegate Name: Mason A Jones
Artificial Intelligence, also known as AI, is one of the most useful technological advancements in today’s world. Used for finance, customer service, entertainment, marketing, and many other tactics, AI has helped advance our technological progress and economic growth. Even for the environment, AI has helped track climate change and oil and gas installation patterns throughout the world. Although, the increase of use of Artificial Intelligence has been affecting our environment in several ways. Negative impacts of AI on the environment include the increased burning of fossil fuels and water waste to power data centers and the mining of rare earth metals for microchip production, which will continue to negatively impact the environment if action is not taken.
Slovenia is one of many European countries striving to use AI to develop computer infrastructure. In fact, as of 2025, Slovenia is going to host one of the six new AI factories, driving to expand high-performance computing power. These factories will benefit Europe because it strives to connect AI strategies across Europe, and work to make Europe an AI-supported continent.
The UN’s position on AI is to further advance technological growth with Artificial Intelligence, but also be aware of the environmental risks. Some impacts of AI on the environment is the energy needed for data centers. Since most AI deployments are stored in data centers, they need to burn fossil fuels to host the AI technology, leading to more greenhouse gas emissions released into the atmosphere. For example, for one 2kg computer, up to 800kg of raw materials are used. On top of that, it takes several liters of water to cool down the electrical components. This can negatively affect countries who are already lacking in clean water supply, and it can stress areas where droughts are common. The UN—UNEP specifically—suggests that governments should put more regulations on infrastructure used to support AI, to lessen the use of energy and water waste.
Slovenia believes that Artificial Intelligence should be pushed forward in development, for it has great benefits and potential for the future. Although, we believe that we should be aware of the environmental risks, and continue to place regulations like the EU Artificial Intelligence (AI) Act.
Works Cited
AI Has an Environmental Problem. Here’s What the World Can Do About That., www.unep.org/news-and-stories/story/ai-has-environmental-problem-heres-what-world-can-do-about. Accessed 25 Nov. 2025.
“Slovenia among the Digital Giants: A New Supercomputer and AI Factory to Boost Technological Power.” Portal GOV.SI, www.gov.si/en/news/2025-03-12-slovenia-among-the-digital-giants-a-new-supercomputer-and-ai-factory-to-boost-technological-power/?utm_source=chatgpt.com. Accessed 24 Nov. 2025.
“What Direct Risks Does AI Pose to the Climate and Environment?” Grantham Research Institute on Climate Change and the Environment, 22 Sept. 2025, www.lse.ac.uk/granthaminstitute/explainers/what-direct-risks-does-ai-pose-to-the-climate-and-environment/?utm_source=chatgpt.com.
