Technology, AI, and the Environment

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has a dual impact on the environment. On one hand, it offers innovative solutions; on the other, it requires significant energy and resource consumption. Through AI, we can predict climate patterns, optimize the use of renewable energy, improve agricultural efficiency, and help conserve biodiversity.

However, developing and running AI systems comes with high electricity use in data centers, heavy water consumption, and CO₂ emissions — raising concerns about AI’s growing environmental footprint.

This has sparked discussions about the responsible use of AI, with the hope that it can contribute to the global transition toward a more sustainable economy and provide solutions to climate change. According to World Bank data, the information and communication technology sector — which includes AI — currently generates about 1.7% of global emissions, a figure that continues to rise. It’s likely that using AI itself to reduce these impacts will be key, and it’s clear this path won’t stop.