Speculation on the revolutionary benefits of Artificial Intelligence (AI) is leading to fast-tracked natural resource extraction and ballooning financial investment into data centre infrastructure. The growth of this emerging industry is outpacing the capacity for research and regulation of AI’s environmental, social, and political impacts. This research stream focuses on understanding the myriad socio-economic and justice implications of unfettered AI development.
While AI has promising applications, the negative consequences of current implementation trajectories need to be understood. Environmental impacts include the extraction of rare –earth minerals for production of computer chips, and the use of water and energy to power and cool data centres. Social impacts of AI include the dissolution of trust due to disinformation, degradation of critical thinking skills, and impacts on mental health. Political impacts include the consolidation of wealth and power, use of AI in surveillance and militarism, and the control of data and information resources.
We ask: what are the risks associated with current AI implementation? How can regulatory processes keep up with the pace of AI? How do different AI uses impact environmental, social, and political dimensions?
Topics in this research stream:
- AI and natural resource extraction
- Data centre water and energy use
- Rise of techno-oligarchy
- AI and the future of labour
- Militarism and surveillance
Project spotlights
AI and the Politics of Extraction Panel
The rapid expansion of artificial intelligence has brought renewed urgency to questions of climate justice. The massive resource extraction required to build and power data centre infrastructure is having profound impacts on local communities and ecosystems. At the same time, the large-scale monetization of data raises complex political and ethical issues, with far-reaching consequences for democracy, human rights, and the environment.
In this public discussion that took place on November 22nd 2025, Professors Naomi Klein (UBC-V), Stephanie Dick (SFU), Wendy Wong (UBC-O) and Hamish van der Ven (UBC-V) explored questions around the implications of AI for climate justice, the governance of AI and protection of users, and which beneficial models of AI could and should be explored. Moderated by Professor Carol Liao (UBC-V).