Do the Benefits of AI in Climate Change Outweigh the Risks?
Bowler Hat Science from Matthew R Francis
Let me get this out of the way first: I am very very very very very very tired of the need to talk about “AI” (which ain’t even actually artificial intelligence, it’s just sparkling machine learning). But it’s my job to do it, so here we are. My latest is about AI research for climate change, and particularly about whether its use can be justified in light of the damage AI does to the planet. The answer as usual is “it’s complicated”.
Evaluating the Good and Bad of Artificial Intelligence Tools for Climate Research
Climate change—intertwined with habitat loss, resource extraction, and power usage—is arguably the single biggest issue that humanity faces today. Researchers are contemplating all available tools—including machine learning, a term that is often used interchangeably with artificial intelligence (AI)—to model, mitigate, and otherwise prepare for impending crises. However, no one approach is a panacea; scientists who utilize these tools must sort through legitimate use cases, unnecessary deployments, and broader questions about AI’s positive and negative effects on the future of the planet.
“AI can be a powerful tool for climate action,” Priya Donti of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology said. “[It] enables us to get better foresight on renewable energy; optimize things like heating and cooling systems; and accelerate the scientific discovery and creation of clean technologies, such as next-generation batteries.”
During her presentation at the 2025 American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) Annual Meeting, which took place this past February in Boston, Mass., Donti described the delicate balance between AI’s climate benefits and its serious ecological drawbacks. “AI is used in ways that accelerate emissions-intensive applications that are counter to climate progress,” she said, citing its role in fossil fuel exploration and extraction, as well as the widespread adoption of targeted AI-based advertising that increases consumption and carbon footprint.
Paying the Cat Tax
Having said I’m tired of writing about AI, I have a big story idea in the works that covers an angle on the topic I haven’t seen anyone write about yet. So, fingers crossed that someone will pay me to write it! And now, to pay the cat tax:
Bowlerhattishly thine,
Matthew
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