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The digital revolution sweeping across our world seems ethereal, yet rests firmly on physical foundations that remain invisible to most of us. What powers artificial intelligence? Beyond the algorithms and code lies a material reality that shapes our present and future.
Six critical raw materials form the backbone of our technological world. Sand—yes, that ubiquitous substance beneath our feet—provides silicon for our computer chips and glass for our screens, with high-quality sand becoming so scarce that Dubai imports it from Belgium despite being surrounded by desert. Salt drives the chemical industry producing everything from fertilizers to pharmaceuticals. Iron transformed into steel builds our physical infrastructure. Copper connects our digital devices. Oil continues to outproduce all renewable energy sources combined. And lithium, the "white gold" of the clean energy transition, powers batteries while its extraction damages fragile ecosystems.
This material reality highlights a profound paradox: our rush toward a green, AI-powered future demands an explosion of mining activity that threatens the very environments we aim to protect. As wealthy nations promote digital transformation and clean energy, resource-rich developing nations bear the extraction burden. We stand at a critical juncture where our technological ambitions must be balanced with environmental sustainability and global equity. The future may indeed be green and digital, but it will still be mined—the question is who will pay the price and who will reap the rewards.
Subscribe to our channel and join this ongoing conversation about the complex relationship between our physical and digital worlds. How can we create technological progress that benefits everyone without repeating old patterns of exploitation?

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