UK government does not know what datacentres are being used for, FoI request shows

The UK government does not know what the country's datacentres are being used for, according to a freedom of information (FoI) request, raising fears over the environmental impact of the AI boom. The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, which has since been dissolved, said it did 'not hold the requested information' when asked who was using the largest sites and for what purpose.

UK government does not know what datacentres are being used for, FoI request shows By Pippa Neill Environment reporterSource: The Guardian Technology https://www.theguardian.com/us/technology Lack of information raises fears over environmental impact of the AI boom The UK government does not know what the country’s datacentres are being used for despite fears over the growing environmental impact of the AI boom. When asked in a freedom of information FoI request who was using the largest sites and what for, the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology said it did “not hold the requested information”. The ministry has since been dissolved https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2026/jul/18/burnham-plan-to-scrap-technology-department-triggers-backlash . Continue reading... https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026/sep/02/uk-datacentres-ai-boom-foi-environment Get AI news in your inbox Daily digest of what matters in AI.