Artificial intelligence becomes the ally of the climate
Climate change is the greatest challenge that humanity is facing a global crisis that requires urgent solutions and innovative. And in this battle for the survival of our planet, an unexpected ally comes forward: artificial intelligence.
What might seem like an abstraction, futuristic, far away from the environmental concerns, it is proving to be a valuable tool to understand, predict, and fight global warming. But is it really so simple? And more importantly, what are the hidden costs of this alliance?
As the AI monitors our planet
Artificial intelligence, with its ability to analyze massive amounts of data in real-time, turns into a vigilant sentinel, who scrutinizes the planet looking for signs of danger. Satellites, weather sensors, buoys marine weather stations provide a continuous flow of information that are processed by the algorithms to create detailed models, accurate climate.
Thanks to her, we can more accurately predict extreme weather events, such as hurricanes, droughts and heat waves, allowing you to evacuate at-risk populations, and minimize the damage. According to theWorld Meteorological Organization of the United Nations, the technologies based on AI capabilities, never before seen, to process huge volumes of climate data.
We can monitor the deforestation, the level of the seas, the concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, providing crucial data for the definition of effective environmental protection policies. The algorithms can even optimize agricultural production, providing the weather conditions and adapting agricultural practices to reduce the environmental impact.
The AI in action against pollution
But the artificial intelligence is not confined to observe and predict: it can also act to reduce pollution and promote sustainability. Algorithms, AI can optimize the energy consumption of buildings, managing, intelligent lighting, heating and cooling.
Smart cities represent the most concrete example of this transformation. In these smart cities, AI, coordinates the public transport systems, and manages the traffic, optimizes the collection and disposal of waste, and monitor the quality of the air, creating an urban environment more liveable and sustainable.
The systems of IA analyze industry data to identify energy waste and inefficiencies, proposing solutions to reduce the environmental impact of production activities. As we detail in our article on AI and sustainable lifestylethese technologies are revolutionising every aspect of our relationship with the environment.
The AI-driven smart grids can balance demand and energy supply, facilitating the integration of renewable energy into energy systems and reducing the dependence on fossil fuels. According to a study of PwC UK and Microsoftthe use of AI for environmental applications could help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from 1.5 to 4% by 2030.
Concrete examples of AI green
Several companies are already implementing innovative solutions. Google uses AI to reduce the energy consumption of its data centers by 40%, while Tesla has developed systems, optimization of energy that allow its electric cars to maximize the battery life depending on environmental conditions.
The Iren Group, one of the leading Italian multi-utility, has integrated the AI in its environmental processes, such as in the system of Volpiano for the treatment of WEEE (Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment). The company has added the responsible use of artificial intelligence among the 12 challenges for the 2024, recognising the potential of AI in the decrease between 5% and 10% of global greenhouse gas emissions.
In the agricultural sector, companies like John Deere are using AI and sensors to optimize the use of pesticides and fertilizers, reducing the environmental impact by 20-30%. Monitoring systems based on IA allow farmers to use in exactly the required amount of water, avoiding waste in the context of the increasing scarcity of water.
The paradox of the power of artificial intelligence
However, this alliance is not without contradictions. Artificial intelligence has a significant impact on the environment that is often underestimated. According to theInternational Energy agency, data centers, artificial intelligence and the criptovalute are responsible for 2% of global electricity consumption, a figure that could double by 2026.
Every time we use ChatGPT, Midjourney, or any other AI system, we are consuming energy. The training of advanced models such as GPT-4 requires energy equivalent to the annual consumption of hundreds of families. As we analyzed in our article on the floating cities and AIthe sustainable future requires a delicate balance between innovation and environmental responsibility.
Companies such as Google and Destination are trying to reduce this impact by building data centers in cold locations to limit the consumption of cooling. Google has renovated a former paper mill in Finland, taking advantage of the proximity to the Gulf of Finland to the natural cooling, while the Meta has built its first european data center in the Swedish city of Luleå, using only renewable energy.
Key points to remember
- The AI can reduce global emissions from 1.5 to 4% by 2030 through energy optimization and environmental monitoring
- The data centers that power the AI consume 2% of the electricity of the worldwith a forecast to double by 2026
- Smart cities use AI to reduce energy consumption and optimize the management of urban in a sustainable way
- The paradox of AI in green: need energy to create technologies that reduce energy consumption
Frequently asked questions
The IA consumes a lot of really energy? Yes, the training of complex models can consume energy equal to hundreds of families for months, but once operational, many systems IA are more energy efficient than traditional alternatives.
How can we make the AI more sustainable? Using renewable energy to data centers, developing algorithms that are more efficient, optimizing the hardware and promoting responsible use of technologies, IA.
The AI can really help against climate change? Absolutely, through more accurate forecasts, optimization of power consumption, smart grid, and environmental monitoring, but need a balanced approach that also considers its energy costs.
Which sectors benefit more from the IA green? Renewable energy, agriculture, intelligent transportation, urban management and environmental monitoring are the areas with the greatest potential for positive impact.
A future to build together
Artificial intelligence has the potential to become a powerful weapon in our fight for the planet’s survival. But this potential will only be realized if we guide its development and use with wisdom, responsibility, and a long-term vision.
We need to invest in research and innovation, developing systems of IA always the most efficient, accurate, and reliable from the point of view of energy. As highlighted in our analysis on AI and disinformation climate, it is important to maintain a critical approach and transparent.
Need to promote collaboration among scientists, engineers, ethics experts, legislators and citizens to define a robust framework and shared. As discussed in our article on bioethics and artificial intelligencethe border between progress and the responsibility should be drawn with caution. The future of our planet depends on our ability to build an alliance virtuous between human intelligence and artificial, an alliance that enables us to face the challenges of climate change with determination and hope, but also with realism about the challenges that await us.