Greening AI for sustainable computing: A call for tech firms, policymakers

AI is helping reduce energy wastage and improve business process efficiencies. However, its energy use may be neutralising the overall benefits from digitisation

Technologies are providing solutions to many business and social problems. However, the solution itself is becoming a problem for climate action. Even artificial intelligence (AI)-based solutions, which are being increasingly used for climate action, are posing a new set of challenges for the world. 

 

AI is being recognised as an energy guzzler and consequently a contributor to the climate crisis. The COP29 meeting recognised the importance of AI but also flagged concerns about its impact. At COP29, UN body International Telecommunication Union (ITU) emphasised the greening of AI and computing. 

 

The energy consumption associated with AI technologies, particularly deep learning