Artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping our world in significant ways. It’s changing how businesses operate and transforming fields like education, healthcare, communication, and agriculture. With AI, we’re seeing improvements in workplace efficiency, industrial productivity, and better resource management. The rise of AI is mainly driven by the vast amounts of data available and advancements in computer power.
AI is also making strides in tackling environmental challenges. It helps detect air pollution, monitor deforestation, and track microplastics in our oceans. Early warning systems powered by AI can predict cyclones and heavy rain, helping communities prepare and reduce damage. In agriculture, AI techniques support farmers in managing water use, preventing waste, and increasing crop yields, ensuring food security.
However, there are downsides to consider. AI requires a lot of energy. The infrastructure needed to support AI, like data centers, consumes massive amounts of electricity, which is often generated from fossil fuels. The International Energy Agency has warned that power demand from data centers is expected to rise significantly in the coming years. In fact, the number of data centers has skyrocketed from 500,000 in 2012 to over eight million today.
This growing energy demand raises concerns about carbon emissions. As long as our energy sources rely heavily on dirty fuels, using AI could worsen climate change. We need to transition to cleaner energy to reduce AI’s carbon footprint.
In addition to energy, AI’s cooling systems demand large volumes of water, with estimates suggesting a need for four to six billion cubic meters by 2027 just for AI operations. The extraction of critical minerals used in tech hardware often occurs in regions experiencing water shortages. This can harm biodiversity, pollute air, and increase greenhouse gas emissions. Plus, the lifecycle of technology leads to growing problems with waste and electronic waste.
Despite these issues, we have the opportunity to address them. A balanced strategy can help us harness AI’s benefits while staying mindful of its risks. The Summit of the Future recently highlighted AI’s potential to advance sustainable development goals but also stressed the urgency of addressing environmental concerns. A solid regulatory framework is crucial for this balance.
Discussions around AI often focus on privacy and misinformation, but environmental impacts are now entering the conversation. Governments and tech leaders recognize that we must consider these environmental effects as part of any plan moving forward. An international governance system is essential for addressing the wide-ranging issues associated with AI.
Last year, the UN took initial steps towards this goal by starting a global dialogue on AI governance and establishing a scientific panel to assess risks and opportunities. As part of these efforts, the UN Environment Programme has suggested creating standardized methods to measure AI’s environmental impact and require tech companies to report on their energy, water, mineral use, carbon emissions, and waste.
We must not let AI become another environmental burden like the Industrial Revolution did. It’s vital to manage AI’s risks effectively and shape it into a tool that helps protect our planet.
