Climate Conscious Artificial Intelligence

Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) can be used to tackle crucial issues like climate change and carbon emissions, which could bring humanity one step closer to achieving our sustainability goals. However, increased use of AI and ML technologies can also have an impact on greenhouse gas emissions which means creating a sustainable form of these technologies is key to the wider picture of climate consciousness. Recently, a group of researchers led by Professor Lynn H. Kaack at Berlin's Hertie School published a paper in the journal Nature Climate Change investigating how AI and ML technologies may impact greenhouse gas emissions – both positively and negatively – and what measures can be taken help to align AI/ML policy with climate change goals. The aim of the study is to establish how the emissions from AI/ML activities can be quantified in order to better understand how the increasing use of these technologies is influencing the climate. Climate change should be a key consideration when developing and assessing AI technologies.