Artificial intelligence, data centers and digital colonialism: Socioenvironmental and geopolitical impacts in the Global South

Abstract

Despite the imaginary that celebrates the immateriality of Artificial Intelligence, its industry is inherently material, worsening the climate crisis through the consumption of natural resources and the emission of greenhouse gases. Thus, this article advocates for incorporating the ecological dimension into the discourse on digital sovereignty – a nation's autonomy and independence in its digital development. To this end, we examine the expansion of data centers in Brazil between 2013 and 2023. Through literature review and documentary research, we initially examine how the AI industry contributes to the intensification of the climate crisis, mainly through data centers. In the second topic, we analyze these infrastructures and their impacts in Brazil, particularly their high energy consumption and water usage. Finally, we address the issue of digital sovereignty in relation to digital colonialism. We conclude that, in its present form, AI can contribute to deepening colonialist practices, especially through the convergence of techno-optimistic narratives and the extraction of natural resources. Therefore, it is urgent to build theoretical frameworks capable of supporting public policies to monitor the socio-material impacts caused by foreign governments and companies on territories and their populations in the Global South.