AI's Double-Edged Sword: A Path to Sustainable Energy or an Environmental Threat
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AI can enable the deployment of cleaner energy by improving efficiency and reducing costs, but it can also enable more efficient fossil fuel extraction.
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AI's energy demands for data centers and computing power are soaring, potentially rivaling entire countries' consumption.
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Lessons from the energy transition apply to AI diversify providers, ensure accountability and reliability through governance, make AI low-carbon now before lock-in.
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Major AI providers and investors must focus on understanding and minimizing not just social risks but also environmental impacts.
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Choices today on how AI is developed and used will determine if it becomes a pillar for sustainability or a missed opportunity.