On December 3, 2025, Associate Professor Jessica Steinberg of the Department of International Studies at the Hamilton Lugar School of Global and International Studies was featured on WVXU for her insights into the growing environmental impact caused by data centers. The article examined how tech companies and governments can make better legislation to reduce the use of heavy water and energy demands associated with rapid digital expansion.
Steinberg explained that the United States relies heavily on imported minerals needed for data center construction and expansion. Because most of these resources are sourced internationally, the U.S. has limited influence over the environmental and labor practices involved in their mining. She also emphasized that rapid investment in AI data centers is driving a significant increase in global demand for minerals such as copper, which is increasing concerns about sustainability and supply chain management.
Her remarks show how the growth of digital technology is deeply connected to global resource systems. As AI infrastructure expands, the demand for minerals is becoming an increasingly important part of conversations about sustainable development and responsible industry practices.
At the Hamilton Lugar School, Steinberg’s research focuses on the political economy of development, local politics of natural resource extraction, territorial sovereignty, and violent conflict. She has also published widely on related topics, including state presence, protests and repression, and governance in resource-rich and conflict-affected regions.
Read the full story, IU: Tech companies, governments could do more to reduce environmental impacts of data centers on the WVXU website.