Global Environmental Groups Use AI Despite Climate Costs

Environmental and conservation groups are increasingly using AI to analyze climate data, detect wildfires, monitor endangered wildlife and process research more quickly. Conservation International, for example, uses satellite data to identify potential fires in Cambodia and alert local patrols. The organizations also recognize that the data centers powering AI consume substantial electricity and water and contribute to greenhouse-gas emissions, creating a tension between AI’s conservation benefits and its environmental footprint. The debate is prompting calls for more sustainable AI development and greater transparency about its impacts.