As the use of generative artificial intelligence increases, experts are warning about what this means for the environment and the commitment of government to reduce planetary heated emissions to prevent out-of-control global warming.
US Energy Secretary Chris Wright said last week that he hopes President Donald Trump's administration will help the vast amount of electricity needed to fuel AI by delaying retirements for most of the country's coal-fired power plants.
Big companies like Google, Meta and Microsoft have made sustainability pledges, but environmental experts say the sector is not enough to reduce energy and water usage, increased emissions, or potential flooding in e-waste.
Benedetta Brevini, a visiting professor at NYU and an associate professor at the University of Sydney, specializes in the political and economics of communication and technology, but these “digital lords” say they need to clean up the environmental impact of the generated AI and data centers needed to enhance technology, especially in Europe.
According to Investment and Real Estate Group CBRE, Europe has been able to see new data centers this year at a record level as it expands its AI and cloud computing activities.
Brevini, who published the book, “Is AI Good for the Planet?” In 2021, the public said that the public should question the utilities of some AI applications. She spoke to the context during her recent visit to Brussels.
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You need to select the necessary techniques (such as) to further diagnose further medications. There are a few techniques that can help you determine whether they are necessary in an era of climate crisis.
Benedetta Brebini, Associate Professor, University of Sydney
More data centers are often built in places where natural resources are scarce. What is the risk that this tech boom will promote inequality?
I'm really fighting for this persistent type of development that doesn't take into account trade-offs. It is in an area where there is a community and very often a constant drought and constant flooding, which can't really deal with hosting data centers.
