CHICAGO — Data centers powering artificial intelligence are putting a strain on Lake Michigan and other local water systems, which could lead to water shortages if not addressed, according to a recent report from the Alliance for the Great Lakes.

The data centers — which are needed for popular AI apps — require a significant amount of energy and water, which makes Lake Michigan and other Great Lakes very attractive to tech companies opening the facilities. But these freshwater, inland seas are a finite resource that are needed to provide fresh water to people in the region. The tech industry could cause significant damage to the Great Lakes if left unchecked, according to the report.

Helena Volzer, the Alliance for the Great Lakes’ senior source water policy author of the report, said th

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