In a recent article done by the UN Environmental Program, researchers have evaluated the boom in use of AI, and how this increased usage has both benefited and damaged ecosystems and environments. On the positive side, different governments around the world have began to utilize AI to help the environment, using it to help monitor harmful compounds such as methane to help limit international issues such as pollution and climate change. While AI applications in regards to the environment such as this monitoring initiative have had positive impacts, there have also been negative impacts on the environment associated with using AI. For example, a negative impact of using AI in regards to the environment is the consumption from AI data centres. Not only do AI data centres use high amounts of water, they also consume high amounts of fossil fuels contributing to greenhouse gas emissions. Overall, AI is rapidly growing technology, but many wonder when regulations will catch up to the increased usage.
As AI and the use of data centres have greatly expanded over the past 5 years, governments have been making efforts to ensure that the use of these facilities have been done environmentally friendly. To this day, between 190 and 200 countries thus far have implemented recommendations regarding the use of AI, with a few of them even introducing legislation of help mitigate the environmental effects of AI. In the future UNEP has made clear that they will support governments around the world to help navigate the complexities of regulating AI. Personally, I believe that governing bodies have done as good as they could have thus far to consider the environment with the expansion of AI. As AI is a relatively new phenomenon, governments have quickly adjusted to start implementing regulations surrounding the environment and AI. For me, at this point, the effort shown is good enough for me. As we continue to move forward in time, I hope to see the environment still being considered within technology, but I believe the timely response to this vast growth has shown good initiative.
After reading my blog post and the UN Environmental Program’s article on AI and the environment, I invite you to share your thoughts on what you think. Do you think that international governments have done a good job to limit the environmental impacts coming from AI? Let me know!
Sources/Resources Consulted
©koya979- Adobe Stock