AI + The New Human Frontier

CHAPTER 11The Sustainability Paradox

Many experts generally see AI as a positive development, with the United Nations Environment Program lauding it as a tool that “could improve our understanding of our environmental impact and the effects of climate change.” Research by PwC UK, commissioned by Microsoft, modeled the economic impact of AI to manage the environment across four sectors: energy, agriculture, transportation, and water. One of the key applications of AI is in creating clean distributed energy grids. By optimizing energy distribution and consumption, AI helps reduce waste and increase efficiency, leading to a more sustainable energy system. Sustainable supply chains are another area where AI is making a difference. By analyzing data from various sources, AI can help companies track and optimize their supply chains to minimize waste and reduce carbon footprint. AI is also being used for environmental monitoring to track changes in ecosystems, wildlife populations, and air quality. Enhanced weather and disaster prediction powered by AI algorithms have improved early warning systems for natural disasters like hurricanes, earthquakes, and wildfires. The report estimates that leveraging AI for environmental applications could add up to $5.2 trillion USD to the global economy in 2030.¹

But for every way AI could contribute to sustainability efforts, more experts are raising concerns about the environmental costs of AI. Using a powerful AI model to make an image uses as ...