Environmental groups embrace AI, even as they warn of data center impacts

Detailed summary

WASHINGTON, Nov 7 : Environmental groups worldwide are using artificial intelligence to analyze climate data, track forest fires and count endangered wildlife – embracing a technology they also warn is driving a surge in electricity demand, water use and greenhouse-gas emissions.

The contradiction is forcing these organizations to justify their AI use in carrying out missions to combat climate change or protect natural resources.

"We recognize that AI can come with environmental costs, and we need to be thoughtful about how we use it," said Ali Swanson, AI lead at the US nonprofit Conservation International. "But at a time when the climate and biodiversity crises are becoming more urgent, AI can help us move faster and make better use of the information we're collecting."

The group recently started using AI to assess hotspots detected by satellites and send real-time alerts to community…

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