AI can help us fight climate change. But it has an energy problem, too

Artificial intelligence (AI) technology can help us fight climate change--but it also comes at a cost to the planet. To truly benefit from the technology's climate solutions, we also need a better understanding of AI's growing carbon footprint, say researchers. AI is changing the way we work, live and solve challenges. It can improve healthcare, protect elephants from poachers, and work out how broadband should be distributed. But it could be most valuable as a range of applications helping humanity fight our biggest threat--climate change.