Matter’s Co-Founder and COO highlights the increasing trade-offs between sustainability and tech investments due to AI.
While artificial intelligence (AI) undoubtedly holds the potential to revolutionise our approach to environmental challenges, from optimising energy consumption to accelerating renewable energy development, its impact is not without complexity. The article explores the potential pitfalls, such as the energy-intensive nature of AI and the risk of its application in unsustainable industries. Read below an excerpt from the article by PA Future:
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming various aspects of our lives, and the fight against climate change is no exception. However, the potential impact of AI on our planet remains a topic of debate, and last week was no exception with the signing of Microsoft and Occidental’s carbon credit deal. As reported, Occidental, one of the biggest US oil producers, will sell 500,000 carbon credits for an undisclosed amount to Microsoft over six years in a bid to help offset the firm’s AI energy surge.
As we know, AI excels at processing vast amounts of data. It can improve weather forecasting, optimise resource use in agriculture and identify pollution sources with great accuracy – just to name a few ways in which it may impact the planet. But on the other side of the coin, AI requires large amounts of energy and capital investments. Training and running an AI model requires significant computing power, leading to higher energy consumption and water usage – potentially negating its environmental benefits.
As a case in point, Google’s greenhouse gas emissions have surged 48% since 2019 due to the expansion of its data centres with AI systems. On top of this, Microsoft’s have risen 30% since 2020. This leaves both companies commitments to get to net zero by 2030 in jeopardy. By 2027, it is predicted that AI will be using as much energy as the whole of Argentina or Sweden.
While artificial intelligence (AI) undoubtedly holds the potential to revolutionise our approach to environmental challenges, from optimising energy consumption to accelerating renewable energy development, its impact is not without complexity. The article explores the potential pitfalls, such as the energy-intensive nature of AI and the risk of its application in unsustainable industries. Read below an excerpt from the article by PA Future:
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming various aspects of our lives, and the fight against climate change is no exception. However, the potential impact of AI on our planet remains a topic of debate, and last week was no exception with the signing of Microsoft and Occidental’s carbon credit deal. As reported, Occidental, one of the biggest US oil producers, will sell 500,000 carbon credits for an undisclosed amount to Microsoft over six years in a bid to help offset the firm’s AI energy surge.
As we know, AI excels at processing vast amounts of data. It can improve weather forecasting, optimise resource use in agriculture and identify pollution sources with great accuracy – just to name a few ways in which it may impact the planet. But on the other side of the coin, AI requires large amounts of energy and capital investments. Training and running an AI model requires significant computing power, leading to higher energy consumption and water usage – potentially negating its environmental benefits.
As a case in point, Google’s greenhouse gas emissions have surged 48% since 2019 due to the expansion of its data centres with AI systems. On top of this, Microsoft’s have risen 30% since 2020. This leaves both companies commitments to get to net zero by 2030 in jeopardy. By 2027, it is predicted that AI will be using as much energy as the whole of Argentina or Sweden.
