The ’80s are trending. But AI nostalgia comes with a hidden environmental cost
Summary
AI-generated 1980s-style portraits are driving a global nostalgia trend, but the convenience comes with heavy electricity and water use. Experts warn that the environmental footprint of data centers and AI models is growing fast, including implications for Nepal’s policy debate on green infrastructure.
Key Points
- Millions of users are replacing profile photos with AI-generated 1980s-style portraits as retro nostalgia trends globally.
- Researchers say generating AI images consumes far more electricity and water than simple text prompts, with costs rising sharply at scale.
- The International Energy Agency warns global data centre electricity demand could nearly double by 2030 as AI expands.
- Experts in Nepal say the country’s surplus hydropower could support green data centres, but only with strict environmental oversight.
