A new report from the International Energy Agency downplays fears that AI will significantly accelerate climate change. It acknowledges the growing energy demands from AI data centers, which could exceed Japan's current usage by 2030. However, the report argues that renewables will largely meet this demand and identifies AI's significant potential for reducing emissions through applications in energy efficiency and leak detection. It projects a potential emissions cut equivalent to 5% of energy-related emissions by 2035. Yet, infrastructure issues may hinder planned data center projects.
The widespread adoption of existing AI applications could lead to emissions reductions that are far larger than emissions from data centres - but also far smaller than what is needed to address climate change.
Despite the energy surge, the IEA’s base-case scenario shows renewables playing the largest role in meeting data center demand through 2035.
#ai-and-climate-change #international-energy-agency-iea #renewable-energy #data-centers #emissions-reduction
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