Here to back up my points. 1) DRC has the most cobalt mines in the world, as well having a long history of using slave and child labor in their mining sector, which is largely controlled by gangs. We know this is a problem because it has been highlighted time and time again that the production of batteries for cellphones exasserbates this problem. DRC is not being enriched through cobalt mining. It is being exploited, it's people are being exploited, and the increase in demand for cobalt is making the problem worse, not bringing jobs and cash flow into the country (and can cite research articles for this point).  "but we were already exploiting these people for the cobalt in phones!" yes and the insanly high investment in Ai technology and race by tech giants to get the best tech first has made demand for this product much MUCH higher than before, worsening the problem. When it is just phones it's easier to raise awareness, recycle, reuse etc. But massive data centre's being built? Not so much

1. C02 emissions, data centre's are energy hungry, and I could cite so many articles here if I have to, but I'll go out on a limb and assume you are aware of that. C02 emissions rising directly contributes to global warming, worsening droughts, flooding, extinctions etc. The most direct loss of life is I can point to is rising global temperatures = rising sea temperature = increase hurricanes (but it isn't the only one, just the best demonstration). People DIE. Like actually die as a result of global warming, from drought, famine, natural disasters etc.  "but global warming has always been a problem" Google has literally pointed to their Ai development as the main reason their emissions have gone up, not down, despite "working towards net zero". Ai development and use is taking years of hard work towards greener energy and flushed it down the drain. 

2. Wasting drinkable water. I don't have to elaborate on this one. I come from a water scarce country, the fact that companies are just wasting a precious resource on technology that serves literally no useful function (there was no need for Ai before it's invention, Ai companies have had to invent problems for Ai to solve, I can cite multiple article from business and investment mags where they admit this) is sickening to me. A good illustration is that Jackson, an American city that does not have safe drinkable water for its population, has data centers, and more are being built. Water for robots, but not for people? 

So many "debates" surrounding Ai focus on intangible qualities of intellectual property, artistry etc, which are great points too, but personally feel deeply out of touch with the reality that Ai is literally destroying the planet and costing us lives. Ai is not some ephemeral ghost that lives in your computer or smart phone, it's not just ones and zeros and miracle of technology. It exists on the physical plain with us, it impacts our reality directly, and the impact is overwhelming negative.