Sustainability Commitment

AI and Sustainability at Thompson Rivers University

Artificial intelligence is rapidly expanding across research, industry and everyday life. As AI systems grow more powerful, so do questions about their environmental footprint — from the energy required to power large computing systems to the resources needed to operate digital infrastructure.

At Thompson Rivers University, sustainability is shaping how these conversations unfold. Infrastructure, governance and research are being explored together to ensure that artificial intelligence develops in ways that reflect the same environmental values guiding the university’s broader sustainability commitments.

Universities have an important role to play in this moment. They bring together research, education, infrastructure and public accountability — allowing new technologies to be explored responsibly while considering their broader impacts on communities and the environment.

Sustainable infrastructure

Artificial intelligence requires significant computing power. As AI systems grow, the infrastructure needed to support them raises important environmental questions — particularly around energy use, water consumption and how large computing facilities fit within communities.

These questions are increasingly relevant in Kamloops.

A new data centre currently under construction along McGill Road will form part of Bell Canada’s Bell AI Fabric, a national platform designed to support advanced research, innovation and artificial intelligence adoption across Canada. Once complete, the facility will contribute high-performance computing capacity to Canada’s growing AI ecosystem.

As artificial intelligence infrastructure expands globally, facilities like this are prompting important conversations about sustainability and responsible development.

Energy

Energy use is one of the most significant environmental considerations associated with artificial intelligence infrastructure.

In British Columbia, most electricity is generated through renewable hydroelectric power. Operating computing infrastructure within this system significantly reduces the carbon footprint associated with high-performance computing compared to regions where electricity grids rely heavily on fossil fuels.

Locating advanced computing infrastructure within B.C.’s largely renewable electricity system allows facilities to operate with a lower emissions profile than many comparable facilities elsewhere in the world.

Water

Water use is another important consideration for many data centres. Cooling systems are required to regulate temperatures and maintain reliable computing performance.

Across the industry, there is increasing focus on technologies that reduce water use, including closed-loop cooling systems and air-based cooling approaches. Minimizing water consumption while maintaining system reliability has become an important design consideration for modern computing infrastructure.

Noise and community impact

Large computing facilities must also consider how they fit within their surrounding environment.

Noise levels, building design and operational impacts are typically addressed during planning and development. Facilities are designed to meet municipal and environmental requirements while minimizing impacts on surrounding communities.

As digital infrastructure develops near campus, conversations at TRU include how these facilities integrate with the campus environment and the broader Kamloops community.

Future opportunities for energy reuse

Modern data centres produce significant amounts of heat as a byproduct of high-performance computing. Around the world, some facilities are exploring ways to capture and reuse this heat to support district energy systems or nearby buildings.

At TRU, the university’s Low Carbon District Energy System (LCDES) — currently under development on campus — is designed to support low-carbon heating and cooling across university buildings.

While the data centre and LCDES are separate projects, future opportunities to recover and reuse waste heat from computing infrastructure could become part of broader conversations about how digital infrastructure and sustainable energy systems may work together.

Responsible AI development

Sustainability in artificial intelligence is not only about infrastructure. Governance, transparency and human oversight are equally important.

At TRU, the TRU horaizon initiative helps guide how artificial intelligence is introduced across the university. The initiative emphasizes a human-led, values-first approach to emerging technologies and helps ensure that experimentation with AI happens responsibly.

Through the Safe Start Framework, TRU has introduced guidance to support responsible AI use across the campus community. The framework includes:

safety guardrails
proper use guidelines
escalation and incident reporting pathways
guidance on suggested and approved tools

Together, these measures help provide clarity for students, faculty and staff as AI tools become more widely used in teaching, research and operations.

AI as a sustainability tool

Artificial intelligence is not only something that must be managed responsibly. It is also a powerful tool for addressing environmental and societal challenges.

Around the world, AI systems are already being used to improve agriculture, monitor environmental change and manage water resources.

Researchers at TRU are exploring similar opportunities. Projects in areas such as wildfire response, environmental monitoring and health research demonstrate how advanced technologies can be applied to real-world challenges facing communities.

This work reflects TRU’s growing focus on use-inspired research — research that connects academic expertise with practical problems in the communities the university serves.

The role of TRU

Universities have a unique role in shaping how artificial intelligence develops.

They are places where new technologies can be examined critically, tested responsibly and connected to real-world challenges. They also bring together students, researchers, industry partners and communities in ways that allow important questions to be explored openly.

At TRU, conversations about artificial intelligence often include broader questions:

How should new technologies affect the environment?
What responsibilities come with large-scale computing infrastructure?
How can artificial intelligence support communities rather than simply disrupt them?

By bringing together sustainable infrastructure, responsible governance and applied research, TRU is helping explore how artificial intelligence can develop in ways that reflect environmental responsibility and community values.

Questions? Email horaizon@tru.ca

frequently asked questions

A data centre currently under construction along McGill Road will form part of Bell Canada’s Bell AI Fabric, a national platform designed to support advanced research, innovation and artificial intelligence adoption across Canada.

Facilities like this provide the computing power required for advanced research, artificial intelligence development and high-performance computing. The project contributes to Canada’s growing digital infrastructure while supporting research and innovation across multiple sectors.

No. The data centre is not owned or operated by Thompson Rivers University.
The facility is part of Bell Canada’s Bell AI Fabric and is being developed independently of the university. Its proximity to campus reflects the growing technology and research ecosystem in Kamloops and the Interior of British Columbia.

British Columbia’s electricity grid is largely powered by renewable hydroelectric energy, which significantly reduces the carbon footprint associated with high-performance computing compared to regions that rely heavily on fossil fuels.
Kamloops also benefits from a growing research and innovation ecosystem, including Thompson Rivers University and industry partners working in applied technology and digital infrastructure.

High-performance computing systems require significant electricity to operate and maintain safe operating temperatures.

The environmental impact of that energy use depends largely on how the electricity is generated. In British Columbia, most electricity is produced through renewable hydroelectric power, resulting in lower greenhouse gas emissions than electricity systems that rely heavily on fossil fuels.

Some data centres use water-based cooling systems to regulate temperatures and ensure reliable computing performance.

Across the industry, there is increasing focus on cooling technologies that reduce water use, including closed-loop systems and air-based cooling approaches.

Large computing facilities are designed to meet municipal planning, environmental and building requirements.

Noise levels, building design and operational impacts are typically considered during planning and development to ensure facilities operate within local standards and minimize impacts on surrounding communities.

Modern data centres produce significant heat as a byproduct of high-performance computing. In some regions, facilities are exploring ways to capture and reuse this heat to support nearby buildings or district energy systems.

At TRU, the Low Carbon District Energy System (LCDES) is designed to support low-carbon heating and cooling across campus. While the projects are separate, potential opportunities to reuse heat from computing infrastructure are being explored.

The growth of artificial intelligence and advanced computing infrastructure creates new opportunities for students at TRU.

Students may benefit through research opportunities, emerging curriculum and hands-on learning experiences connected to AI and data-driven technologies. Faculty research increasingly incorporates artificial intelligence in areas such as environmental science, health research and wildfire response.

As AI becomes integrated across industries, these experiences help prepare students for careers where understanding digital tools, data and artificial intelligence is increasingly important. Partnerships with industry may also support student scholarships, bursaries, internships and experiential learning opportunities.