Artificial Intelligence and environment

Satyen Mohapatra *

Artificial Intelligence is a double-edged sword. It must be used with caution and when its benefits out-weigh its harmful results. Balancing technological progress with environmental responsibility is crucial for a sustainable future.

The possible environmental impact of Artificial Intelligence has led to the environment becoming one of the key issues on which more than 190 countries have adopted non-binding recommendations on the ethical use of AL.

The USA and EU are among a few countries which have also brought in legislation for the ethical use of AL With the world poised for a global growth in Artificial Intelligence one cannot be oblivious of its environmental impact as AI explosion can lead to enormous amount of electronic waste, guzzle large amounts of electricity, water, rare elements and minerals.

AI is being used in various fields like mapping destructive dredging and charting emissions of methane today. The Chief Digital Officer of the United Nations Environment Programme Golestan Radwan has said that "We need to make sure the net effect of AI on the planet is positive before we deploy the technology at scale."

The real risk of AI is that despite being a machine it can "mimic" human thinking though at an extremely primitive level. Its ability to process huge amounts data swiftly and come out with possible solutions is being taken to help in areas like pollution, waste, climate change, nature and biodiversity loss.

Interestingly we must keep in mind that to make a two-kilo computer requires the use of 800 kilos of raw materials. The microchips used to run the computer require rare earth elements which must be mined impacting the environment. The electronic waste produced in the building of computers has hazardous substances, like mercury and lead.

It is estimated that global AI infrastructure may consume six times more water to cool the electronic parts thanpeople in a country like Denmark. The power for using AI would come from electricity which is produced by burning fossil fuels, which produce greenhouse gases that lead to global warming.

According to the International Energy Agency a request made through Chat GPT consumes ten times more energy than done by a Google Search. Once we upscale AI, a substantial portion of the energy produced by a country will go towards powering AI.

What is worrisome is that while governments are developing National AI strategies at breakneck speed, they are rarely considering its effect on environment and sustainability.

What the United Nations Environmental Programme recommends is that countries must establish standardized procedures for measuring the environmental impact of AI, must develop regulations that require companies to disclose the direct environmental consequences of AI-based products and services; companies must make AI algorithms more efficient, reducing their demand for energy, while recycling water and reusing components where feasible; countries can encourage companies to green their data centresby using renewable energy and offsetting their carbon emissions.

Countries can also weave their AI-related policies into their broader environmental regulations. To properly utilise the benefit of AI globally in a sustainable fashion, eleven countries along with international organizations, technological companies have got together and formed the Coalition for Environmentally Sustainable Artificial Intelligence.

It strives to bring all stakeholders across the AI value chain for dialogue and ambitious collaborative initiatives. The coalition was announced at the recently held Artificial Intelligence (AI) Action Summit in Paris, where Heads of State and Government, leaders of intemational organizations, CEOs, academics, artists, and members of civil society gathered to discuss support for AI innovation, adequate regulation, and respect for rights to ensure development of these technologies in the interests of all, including developing countries.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi speaking at the Summit had said, "There is no doubt that the high energy intensity of AI needs to be looked into. This will require green power to fuel its future". He also said, "Some people worry about machines becoming superior in intelligence to humans. But no one holds the key to our collective future and shared destiny other than us humans.

That sense of responsibility must guide us". The Coalition will encourage AI initiatives for the planet, including its role in decarbonizing economies, reducing pollution, preserving biodiversity, protecting the oceans, and ensuring humanity operates within planetary boundaries.

It will use a collaborative approach—bringing together Govts, academia, civil society, and the private sector — to focus on standardized methods and metrics for measuring AI's environmental impacts, comprehensive life cycle analysis frameworks for reporting and disclosure, and prioritization of research on sustainable UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres at the summit had said, "We know that AI can be a force towards climate action and energy efficiency. But we also know AI power-intensive systems are already placing an unsustainable strain on our planet,".

"So, it is crucial to design AI algorithms and infrastructures that consume less energy and integrate AI into smart grids to optimize mower use." he added. In India, Artificial Intelligence (AI) has the potential to significantly contribute to environmental sustainability by monitoring environmental changes, predicting extreme weather events, aiding wildlife conservation, and optimizing resource management, forest monitoring, cyclone prediction, and smart city planning.

It can be used for analysing satellite imagery to track deforestation, land use changes and ocean health to provide real time solutions. The AI could also be used for identifying and tracking wildlife helping national conservation efforts. The AI models could also help predict extreme weather events like cyclones leading to early warning and preparedness.

For creating a smart city AI could be extremely useful for urban planning, waste management and energy consumption. It could also be used for efficient irrigation reducing water usage. The Indian Govt is promoting research and development of energy-efficient AI technologies and data centers. Discussions also are underway to develop guidelines for responsible AI deployment, addressing environmental concerns.

And utilizing AI to enhance existing environmental monitoring and conservation projects. India wants to use AI for monitoring environmental changes, track deforestation, greenhouse gas emissions, and ocean heat absorption so that timely interventions are made.

Today , AI-powered drones identify illegal logging activities, in forests aiding conservation efforts. The global AI marketis valued at $200 billion and projected to contribute up to $15.7 trillion to the global economy by 2030. India has also announced plans to build its own LLM (large language model) to compete with ChalGPT.