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In the ever-evolving landscape of artificial intelligence (AI), where breakthroughs and controversies coalesce, the recent ousting and swift return of Open AI founder Sam Altman has taken center stage. Amidst the unfolding drama, the role of AI in combating climate change emerges as a critical conversation. AI’s potential to revolutionize environmental efforts is undeniable, yet the looming question remains: Can AI fight climate change without contributing to a mega emissions footprint? AI’s role in climate change mitigation Under the expansive umbrella of AI’s applications in climate change, recent advancements have unveiled a tool capable of detecting methane plumes on Earth through machine learning. This innovation promises to identify ‘super emitters’ of methane, offering a targeted approach to reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The UN Environment Programme underscores the significance of AI in monitoring air quality, mitigating methane emissions, and curbing overall emissions in the information and communications tech sector. AI’s versatility shines as it detects floods, monitors deforestation in real-time, analyzes crop imagery for pest or disease issues, and undertakes tasks beyond human capabilities, such as Arctic data collection. Noa Weiss, an AI and machine learning consultant, emphasizes the limitless ways AI can aid climate change mitigation, from precise treatments for crops to planning public transport for reduced private car usage. AI’s carbon footprint challenge The commendable efforts of AI in the environmental arena are accompanied by a stark reality—the substantial carbon footprint of AI itself. The creation, training, and utilization of large language models (LLMs) demand immense energy consumption. Data centers, operating continuously and predominantly on fossil-fuel energy, contribute significantly to global greenhouse gas emissions. Estimates predict data centers and communication tech to constitute 14% of global emissions by 2040. The colossal energy requirements for training models like GPT-3, with 175 billion parameters, are staggering. The environmental cost includes electricity…

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Filed under: News - @ December 4, 2023 8:18 am