This chapter explores using AI to track greenhouse gas emissions, focusing on Climate Trace's efforts supported by Al Gore. It discusses the impact of AI in monitoring emissions from various sources, revealing discrepancies and enabling companies to make sustainable decisions. Furthermore, it delves into the environmental implications of AI's energy consumption and how it can be leveraged to reduce carbon footprint.
Artificial intelligence can do some pretty amazing things, including for the climate. AI can help optimize the electric grid, make heating and cooling buildings more efficient, and pinpoint exactly where greenhouse gas emissions are coming from all around the world.
On the other hand, the energy use of AI is massive and growing. A recent study estimates that in just a few years, the extra energy needed will equal whole countries the size of Sweden or Argentina. How do we make sure the benefits of AI outweigh its energy costs?
Guests
Karen Hao, Contributing Writer, The Atlantic
Gavin McCormick, Cofounder and Executive Director, WattTime; Cofounder, Climate TRACE
Priya Donti, Assistant Professor, MIT; Co-founder and Chair of Climate Change AI
Amy McGovern, Professor of Computer Science, University of Oklahoma
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