Exploring AI's Dual Role In Environmental Sustainability
Artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping the way we interact with the world, but its impact on the environment is a topic garnering increasing attention. At an upcoming event hosted by Juncture: Dialogues on Inclusive Capitalism, a panel of experts will delve into this very issue. This gathering, taking place on Tuesday, 26 August, will bring together thought leaders from various fields, including business, technology, and sustainability.
Dr. Guy Bate, who leads the Business School's thematic focus on AI, will facilitate the discussion. He poses critical questions such as, "How could we or should we be using AI and what are its impacts?" and compares the energy of crafting a complex AI prompt to the simple act of boiling a kettle, highlighting the need to understand AI's environmental trade-offs.
One of the event's focus areas is planetary accounting, a concept akin to carbon accounting but broader in scope. Mike Merry, Chief Technology Officer at Planetary Insights, describes this innovative approach as a way to measure various environmental impacts, from greenhouse gases to biodiversity loss. Merry believes AI can simplify the technical challenges businesses face when adopting planetary accounting, thus facilitating a more sustainable future.
However, the conversation isn't one-sided. Dr. Sasha Maher, a sustainability lecturer at the University of Auckland, raises concerns about the environmental cost of AI itself. She questions whether the pursuit of precise data should come at the expense of immediate action, especially when AI's environmental footprint is considered. "Information is only as good as its uptake," she states, emphasizing the importance of actionable insights over mere data collection.
The panel also includes Bowen Pan, a notable technology leader, and Dr. Tania Wolfgramm, an Indigenous futurist and co-founder of Hakamana AI. Their diverse perspectives promise to enrich the discussion on AI's potential to drive change in both economic and environmental realms.
This event aims to provide clarity on the dual role of AI in environmental sustainability. As we grapple with the planet's challenges, understanding AI's place in this complex puzzle becomes ever more crucial.