The head of the secretariat of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, Simon Stiell, addressed companies developing artificial intelligence. He urged them to bring under control the growing emissions associated with AI's enormous energy consumption.
Speaking on Monday in New York against the backdrop of the start of the UN General Assembly and Climate Week, Stiell noted that "energy-hungry artificial intelligence" is intensifying the planet's pollution from coal, oil and gas. At the same time, energy bills for households and businesses are rising.
According to Stiell, the heads of AI companies are "walking on thin ice" in the eyes of the public while energy prices rise. The world is already close to exceeding the key global warming target of 1,5 °C.
The appeal came at a moment when the world's attention is once again turned to climate challenges. How exactly will the technology giants respond to this warning?
Stiell stressed that without action in the sphere of AI, pressure on the climate and energy systems will only grow. This adds a new dimension to the already difficult task of curbing emissions.
