A study predicts AI-related e-waste could grow from 2,600 tonnes in 2023 to 2.5 million tonnes by 2030, potentially reaching 1.2 to 5 million tonnes cumulatively between 2020 and 2030. North America is expected to produce the majority, followed by East Asia and Europe. US restrictions on GPU sales to China may exacerbate the issue. Researchers propose a circular economy strategy to potentially reduce AI-related e-waste by 86% globally, including extending hardware lifespan, reusing components, and improving computing efficiency.
