Artificial intelligence requires considerable computing power, but can it also provide solutions to combat climate change and help humanity adapt to climate change? A large majority of companies in Germany say yes. According to a representative survey of more than 500 companies with at least 20 employees, conducted on behalf of Bitkom, 79 percent see artificial intelligence as an opportunity for the climate, while 19 percent view the technology as a risk.
According to the survey, 41 percent even believe that humanity will only be able to solve its climate problems with the help of artificial intelligence. “Artificial intelligence has huge potential for climate protection. It can significantly reduce the energy consumption of factories, bring buildings onto a CO2-saving course, reduce food waste or minimise the use of fertiliser in agriculture”, says Bitkom CEO Dr Bernhard Rohleder.
Forecasting climate risks
84 percent of companies in Germany also believe that AI can better predict climate risks. 69 percent call for more research to be carried out into how AI can help combat climate change. However, there are also concerns: three quarters (75 percent) consider high energy consumption to be a major problem in the development of AI. “The greener the electricity and the more efficient the hardware and software, the more climate-friendly the AI”, emphasises Rohleder. “Data centres in Germany will have to be CO2-neutral from 2027, and that will have a very positive effect on the climate footprint of digitalisation.”
Can artificial intelligence be a key to the ecological revolution? What contribution can digitalisation make to climate protection and sustainability? How can the carbon footprint of AI be reduced? These and other questions will be addressed at Bitkom's Digital Sustainability Summit on 10 April 2024 in Berlin. The summit brings together innovators from the digital industry, the sustainability community, academia and policymakers. Specific solutions for companies and the state will be discussed together.
