Alphabet Inc.’s Google has launched a new Asia-Pacific accelerator program focused on using artificial intelligence (AI) to support climate and environmental projects. Technology companies are increasingly positioning artificial intelligence as a tool to tackle global sustainability challenges, despite concerns about the growing energy footprint of the technology itself.
The three-month program, called “AI for the Planet,” will support startups, research groups and nonprofits in the Asia-Pacific region working on areas such as climate, agriculture, energy, nature and broader environmental risks, Google said.
The initiative comes as technology companies race to demonstrate the practical application of AI beyond the workplace. Productivity improvements and software developments are increasingly focused on applications ranging from renewable energy forecasting and transport efficiency to climate adaptation and food security.
“Today, the global conversation has… fundamentally changed. It’s no longer a question of how far AI can scale. It’s now a question of how this technology can be purposefully used to solve some of the most pressing challenges we have, including climate change,” Ben King, Google’s country managing director for Singapore and Malaysia, said at the Ecosperity conference in Singapore last week.
The focus on Asia-Pacific reflects the region’s dual role as both a driver of economic growth and one of the regions most exposed to climate-related risks. Countries in the region face growing threats such as extreme weather events, flooding, and disruption to food and energy systems, while also seeking to expand their digital infrastructure and accelerate decarbonization efforts.
Google said that while environmental technology in the region is advancing, it is not expanding fast enough to keep up with the growing risks.
The announcement comes as the technology sector faces increased scrutiny over the environmental impact of AI itself. According to the International Energy Agency, global power consumption by data centers is expected to more than double to approximately 945 terawatt-hours by 2030, largely due to the expansion of AI. In Southeast Asia, electricity demand associated with some data centers is also expected to increase rapidly as governments and businesses expand their digital infrastructure.
Big technology companies such as Google and Microsoft are increasingly promoting the role of AI in reducing emissions and improving efficiency in areas such as energy systems, transportation, and agriculture. But researchers and policymakers continue to debate whether the technology’s increased energy demand can offset some of these gains.
King said Google is optimistic that the benefits of AI could outweigh the risks.
“We think it lies in unlocking tremendous real-world opportunities in areas such as carbon mitigation, energy transition and climate adaptation,” he said.
He pointed to examples such as Google DeepMind’s predictive models for wind and solar power, transportation optimization efforts through Project Greenlight, and agricultural mapping tools designed to help farmers improve decision-making.
“Today, we’re seeing this work take shape. It’s not just a prospect, it’s happening in real time,” King added.
Unlike early-stage startup programs, AI for the Planet The accelerator is aimed at organizations already developing climate or environmental solutions. Selected participants will receive guidance and support from Google AI and Google DeepMind experts. This includes helping integrate advanced AI and scientific models into existing products and projects.
The first cohort will begin with an in-person bootcamp in Singapore.
Google is currently collecting expressions of interest rather than opening a formal application process, but details such as eligibility requirements, cohort size and selection schedule will be announced in the future.
“The biggest impact goes beyond technology development,” King said. “The second part of the equation is also about our ability to allow others to bring their own skill sets, their own engineering, their own creativity to solve some of these problems.”
“Unlocking the full potential of AI will require deep and close collaboration,” he added.
