Artificial intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing industries but comes with significant environmental costs due to high energy consumption and carbon emissions. Training large-scale AI models, such as GPT-3, generates substantial CO₂ emissions, raising concerns about its sustainability. However, AI also offers solutions for combating climate change by optimizing energy efficiency, improving climate modeling, and enhancing renewable energy use. AI-driven analytics can predict energy demand, reduce reliance on fossil fuels, and minimize waste in industries like agriculture and transportation.
Experts like Timnit Gebru, a former Google AI ethics researcher, and Kate Crawford, an AI scholar, have raised concerns about AI’s environmental footprint, urging companies to adopt more sustainable practices. Policymakers and industry leaders, including participants of the AI Action Summit, emphasize the need for energy-efficient hardware, green data centers, and increased reliance on renewable energy. By proactively addressing its environmental impact, AI can be a powerful tool for a greener and more sustainable future.
