SZA says AI is causing "environmental racism"

R&B artist SZA has publicly criticised artificial intelligence, warning about its environmental impact and the disproportionate burden it places on minority communities

In a series of Instagram stories shared on Wednesday (July 16), the singer expressed concern over the energy consumption and pollution associated with AI systems such as ChatGPT and Elon Musk’s chatbot Grok.

“Please Google how much energy and pollution it takes to run AI,” she wrote in a comment shared to her Instagram story. “Please Google the beautiful Black cities like Memphis that are SUFFERING because of Twitter’s new AI system.”

She continued: “PLEASE JUST GOOGLE ENVIRONMENTAL RACISM. AI doesn’t give a f–k if you live or die I promise. THERE IS A PRICE FOR CONVENIENCE AND BLACK AND BROWN [people] WILL PAY THE BRUNT OF IT EVERY TIME.”

SZA also spoke out on social media one day before this, posting that “AI is killing and polluting Black and Brown cities,” and criticising what she described as the public’s dependence on AI technologies; “none of you care ‘cause [you’re] codependent on a machine. Have a great life.”

AI will require almost twice the power needed by the Netherlands by the end of 2025, reaching 23 Gigawatts of power demand compared to the Netherlands’ 12.4 gigawatts, according to The Sustainable Agency.

Elsewhere, a 2025 report from MIT found that large-scale AI data centres consume significant amounts of electricity and water, contributing to increased carbon emissions and pressure on local power grids. Critics have also argued that these effects are often most severe in low-income and minority communities.

Grok, developed by Elon Musk’s artificial intelligence company xAI, recently made a series of antisemitic remarks in response to several posts on X, calling itself “MechaHitler". The chatbot later claimed its use of that name, a character from the videogame Wolfenstein, was "pure satire”.

SZA’s comments are not the first time artists have spoken out about AI. Earlier this year, Paul McCartney, Elton John and more than 400 artists signed a letter to "protect copyright in the age of AI".