The United Arab Emirates has called for countries to plan water, energy and digital infrastructure as one connected system. The appeal comes in a new report released ahead of the 2026 United Nations Water Conference in Abu Dhabi this December.
The UAE will co-host the event with Senegal. The report warns that the rapid growth of artificial intelligence could put more pressure on water and power supplies around the world.
Data centers are expected to use about twice as much water in 2030 as they did in 2025. Their total use could reach 9.32 trillion liters, according to the report. The share linked to AI is also expected to grow sharply, rising to four times its earlier level.
The report, called Crosscurrents: Navigating the AI-Water-Energy Nexus, says the issue goes beyond the water used inside data centers. Much of the demand comes from the wider supply chain. This includes power plants that provide electricity and factories that make computer chips.
AI Growth Could Increase Water Demand
AI systems need large amounts of computing power. Data centers use electricity to run servers and other equipment. They also need cooling systems to control heat and keep machines working.
Both activities can affect water use. Some cooling methods need large amounts of water, while electricity production can also require water. Chip factories add another source of demand because making advanced semiconductors can use large volumes of clean water.
The UAE report says better efficiency alone will not solve the problem. New technology may help companies use fewer resources for each task. However, lower computing costs can also lead to more use of AI services.
This means total demand may keep rising even when each system becomes more efficient.
The report also points to trade-offs between water and energy. A cooling system that saves water may use more electricity. Another system may reduce power use but need more water. These choices can affect the total cost and environmental impact of an AI facility.
Local concerns are also becoming more important. Communities may question whether new data centers have enough water and power. Such concerns can affect permits and influence where companies build new facilities.
UAE Report Sets Out Five Recommendations
The report offers five main recommendations for governments and businesses.
First, it urges countries to use the UN Water Conference to build a shared understanding of the link between AI, water and energy. One possible outcome is a voluntary declaration by countries that want to support more efficient use of resources in AI.
Second, the report calls for AI facilities to be included in national and local water and energy plans. It says governments should consider these facilities when planning resources at both national and river basin levels.
Third, it recommends clear and comparable reports on water and energy use. These reports should cover both direct use at data centers and indirect use across their supply chains. Better data could help governments and investors compare facilities and understand their wider impact.
Fourth, the report calls for technologies that use less water and energy. It also supports circular resource systems, which aim to reuse materials and reduce waste. AI tools that help manage water supplies should also receive support.
Fifth, it urges companies to include water shortages and climate risks in their business plans. These risks should affect decisions about where to build facilities, how to invest and which cooling systems to use.
AI Can Also Help Protect Water Supplies
While the report warns about AI’s resource needs, it also points to ways the technology can help water systems work better.
AI can support the detection of leaks in water pipes. Dozens of studies cited in the report found accuracy rates of between 95% and 99% for AI-assisted leak detection.
Finding leaks early can help water providers reduce waste and repair damaged pipes faster. AI tools may also help operators study water demand, monitor systems and improve the use of available supplies.
However, the report notes that many results still come from pilot projects. More work is needed to show how well these tools perform across entire water networks.
UAE Places Water Security at the Center
The UAE’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations prepared the report with analysis from Eurasia Group. It follows the country’s 2023 report, Ripple Effect, which focused on water scarcity.
The new report links that concern to the fast growth of AI and digital infrastructure. It argues that decisions about computing cannot be separated from the systems that supply water and energy.
As countries invest in AI, governments and companies will need to weigh the benefits of digital growth against pressure on natural resources. The UAE hopes the December conference will help countries develop a common approach.
The report does not call for an end to AI expansion. Instead, it urges better planning, clearer data and more efficient technology so that digital growth can proceed with a stronger focus on water and energy security.
The full report is available through the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
