JMU experts available to discuss data center challenges, opportunities 

Artificial intelligence is transforming scientific research, medicine, education and daily life. But as AI systems become more powerful and widespread, the data centers powering them are driving unprecedented demand for electricity, water and computing capacity, creating environmental, infrastructure and security challenges. 

A paper, “From Environmental Burden to Net Benefit: Making AI a True Ally for Health and the Environment,” by James Madison University health sciences professors Catherine Zeman and Raihan Khan explores the balance between AI's environmental costs and its potential to advance environmental and public health research. The authors state, “The challenge is not whether to use computational tools but how to use them responsibly and how to make them more environmentally sustainable.” 

The paper examines the environmental impact of data centers and large-language models, including growing energy demand, carbon emissions, water consumption for cooling, and community impacts associated with data-center expansion. It also explores how AI can help researchers model complex environmental exposures, forecast health risks and improve research efficiency, particularly for public health organizations with limited resources.  

John Guo, a professor of computer information systems and business analytics, can discuss the growing security and resilience challenges associated with the rapid expansion of AI infrastructure and data centers.  

Guo said AI has elevated data centers from background infrastructure to critical components of modern society, making them increasingly attractive targets for cybercriminals and nation-state actors. He notes that the challenge extends beyond cybersecurity alone, encompassing power systems, cooling infrastructure, supply chains, governance, and human decision-making.  

"Though a powerful technology, AI is vulnerable and can be exploited by threat agents. Thus, securing AI versus securing with AI is an ongoing paradox that data centers must learn to navigate," Guo said.  

Topics Catherine Zeman and Raihan Khan can discuss include: 

• The environmental costs of AI and data-center growth
• Sustainable approaches to AI development and deployment
• AI's potential to advance environmental and public health research
• The growing energy demands of AI infrastructure 

Topics John Guo can discuss include:

• Why data-center resilience has become a national security and public policy issue
• How AI is changing both cyberattacks and cybersecurity defenses
• The connections among AI, critical infrastructure, power gridsand public trust