The regulation of artificial intelligence (AI) systems’ environmental impact in the European Union and selected member states: linking energy efficiency and AI legislation

At the EU level, regulation of the environmental impact of artificial intelligence (AI) remains embryonic. This article examines the interaction between EU rules on energy efficiency and AI, alongside selected member state legislation. The strict risk-based approach of the EU AI Act can be reconciled with a broader interpretation of the Energy Efficiency Directive’s provisions on operator duties and data centres, complemented by national measures, like Germany’s energy monitoring rules and Denmark’s use of AI-related waste heat for public heating. Codes of conduct and training data transparency support regulatory convergence, but specific, enforceable rules remain necessary.