NEW YORK, Jul 12 (IPS) – Contrary to popular belief, artificial intelligence has been a cornerstone of technological progress for much longer than the past few years. Computer scientist Alan Turing introduced the concept of computers solving complex human problems with his invention of the Turing Machine in 1936. The machine offered solutions to a seemingly infinite number of problems, but the technological limitations of the early 1900s proved that this number was very finite indeed. Fast forward to the 2020s and artificial intelligence has become a widespread practice, impacting fields as diverse as music, art, science, forensics, finance, agriculture and many more. While artificial intelligence is hailed as the future of human progress, it also poses a risk to that future due to its significant carbon footprint.
AI systems require long periods of training and development to be effective for use by the general public. This development period is costly in terms of electrical output. According to the Earth.org article “The Green Dilemma: Can AI Fulfill Its Potential Without Harming the Environment?” the computing power required to train AI systems doubles every 3.4 months and AI is expected to contribute 14 percent of global emissions by 2040. Furthermore, studies show that the carbon footprint of training AI systems is larger than the combined output of airplanes and cars. The staggering emissions caused by AI have a direct effect on global warming, climate change, and global warming, all of which pose major risks to the environment.
Additionally, artificial intelligence has the potential to amplify existing environmental problems. One example of this is the problem of electronic waste, or E-waste. E-waste refers to the disposal of electronic items when they are damaged or have reached the end of their useful life. According to “The Growing Environmental Risks of E-Waste,” this discarded material can leach toxic chemicals into the environment, such as lead, mercury, and arsenic, which have been linked to serious health problems such as cancer, miscarriage, and brain damage. The article “The Environmental Impact of AI” states that this is a serious problem, as E-waste “is a significant environmental problem because it contributes to soil, water, and air pollution. It is essential to develop sustainable and responsible practices for the disposal and recycling of electronic waste.” While many do not see any potential downsides when it comes to AI, there are real consequences that could have extremely detrimental effects on the environment. E-waste has been linked to damage to ecosystems and loss of biodiversity. This could lead to changes in our access to water, food, and air. It is of utmost importance that we find a way to limit the effects of E-waste as it can have a major impact on the lifespan of the earth.
Additionally, AI is driving hyperconsumerism worldwide, which is leading to increased amounts of waste in landfills. Hyperconsumerism is the consumption of goods beyond the point of necessity. This is particularly evident in social media, where algorithms select advertisements based on a user’s activity. AI has been specifically associated with fast fashion, which is an environmental problem in its own right. The Harvard Magazine article “AI and Consumerism” states that companies often use “black-box algorithms” that exploit a lack of transparency around pricing and provenance to trick consumers into purchasing products. This lack of transparency leads users to believe that they are purchasing goods in an efficient manner, which encourages them to purchase beyond the point of necessity. As seen in fast fashion, these goods are often made with low-quality materials and cheap or even illegal labor. These goods are easily damaged and therefore end up in landfills, forcing consumers to buy more, repeating the cycle.
Despite all of these drawbacks, it is important to note that artificial intelligence has the potential to mitigate the environmental problems it exacerbates. As discussed earlier, a primary consequence of AI is the waste it produces. AI can help with waste management worldwide. The article “9 Ways AI Is Helping to Tackle Climate Change” states, “Greyparrot, a software startup based in London, UK, has developed an AI system that analyzes waste management and recycling facilities to help them recover and recycle more waste material.” This system has the potential to significantly extend the lifespan of the planet, as waste contributes greatly to methane emissions and global warming. Systems like these can recycle landfills, clean up oceans, reduce pollution, and therefore benefit local wildlife. Most importantly, AI helps the world reduce carbon emissions. Carbon emissions are responsible for a large portion of the world’s environmental crises and have been linked to a wide range of health problems. The same article states that AI is being used to help companies track their carbon emissions and provide them with ways to reduce them by 20-30 percent. While artificial intelligence can significantly harm our planet, if used responsibly and ethically, it can lead the world to a healthier place.
Oritro Karim is a recent graduate of the Rochester Institute of Technology and works as an illustrator, graphic designer, painter, and writer.
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