Data centers, the backbone of artificial intelligence, are driving an unprecedented demand for metals and rare earths, which are essential for building the high-tech infrastructure that powers AI systems. These facilities are often described as "factories of AI" in business circles, reflecting their growing importance. A report published in the journal Resources Policy estimates that by 2025, data centers dedicated to generative AI will require 692,000 tons of metals, and this number could rise to 2.6 million tons by 2035. This demand is driven by the need for metals like copper, aluminum, and rare earth elements, which are critical for cooling, connectivity, and computing power. The World Economic Forum estimates that a single data center may consume around 70 tons of metals per megawatt of power, with the total requirement increasing significantly when considering electrical infrastructure and power generation. Rare earth elements—17 types of minerals used in high-tech devices at the milligram level or in complex alloys—are particularly crucial for data centers. Elements like terbium and dysprosium are used in magnets and hard drives, ensuring the stability and performance of these systems. China, which supplies the majority of the world's rare earths, sources much of its raw material from Myanmar. However, mining in the Shan and Kachin regions has led to environmental degradation and conflict, with indigenous communities facing displacement and water contamination. According to the NGO Global Witness, mining operations in these areas have polluted rivers for hundreds of kilometers, affecting regions as far as northern Thailand. By 2025, over 500 mining sites had been established in Myanmar, often with the support of armed groups linked to China. In 2026, the French energy company Schneider Electric partnered with Torngat Metals to develop rare earth mining projects in northern Quebec, near indigenous communities such as the Innus, Inuits, and Naskapis. These deposits are highly radioactive, and the project has drawn criticism for its potential environmental and health impacts. Earlier, in the 2010s, the company Orano (formerly Areva) had considered the area for uranium mining, but public opposition halted the project. Despite such concerns, Western companies continue to push forward with mining efforts to reduce reliance on Chinese rare earth supplies. Copper, a key metal used in data centers for its excellent conductivity, is also in high demand. A single data center may require between 5,000 and 15,000 tons of copper. In regions like southern Spain and Morocco, where water resources are already limited, new copper mines have opened, raising concerns about water scarcity. In Andalusia, the Cobre la Cruzes mine alone consumes water equivalent to that of 66,000 people, despite the region's arid conditions. Similar issues are reported in Chile, where mining operations are linked to the destruction of glaciers and water reserves. The scale of metal extraction needed to support AI and other technologies has reached levels that some experts describe as ecologically catastrophic, with the demand for materials now surpassing historical totals. As generative AI continues to grow, the environmental and social costs of this expansion are becoming increasingly difficult to ignore.