Hello BRIGHT Run Family,
Hope you all are doing well.
While I am writing (actually, typing) this letter, I am throwing quick glances at the sky through my window. The sun is not showing bright now as it is past 7 pm but the green leaves of the trees nearby are swaying. I am eagerly hoping for rain. Today has been a hot day and after having a series of these days in a row, I am longing for rain, to be honest.
The average number of warmer days per year seems to increase in different regions all over the world and heatwaves are getting more intense. Experts are saying that these are indicators of climate change.
Climate change is often considered as the greatest challenge being faced by humanity. The AI community has been making efforts to contribute to managing the challenge.
In a recent survey1, experts agree that AI can be a part of managing the problem by lending itself as a tool for other domains (examples include electricity systems, transportation, farm and forestry). An example would be utilizing AI tools to monitor and track greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions through satellite imagery for predicting forest fire risks and deriving actionable insights from this data for better land management.
In a recent work2 published last month, AI experts indicated that the impact of AI on climate change has both positive and negative components.
Computations {the use of computers for calculations}, which are an integral part of AI, and AI-related hardware contribute to the increase of GHG emissions. However, optimized energy use in smart buildings reduces GHG emissions.
On top of this, AI impacts social behaviour. This might lead to higher (e.g., targeted ads encourage purchase of not-so-essential goods) or lower GHG emission (e.g., smart-wearables encourage walking/biking instead of driving). AI’s overall impact on GHG is extremely difficult to calculate as there are diverse mechanisms through which AI affects GHG emissions.
The answer to how AI will impact environment lies in the future, but we still have control over the decisions and choices that potentially leads towards the same.
With the hope that we will make better choices and decisions for our home, the Earth.
Best,
Ashirbani
Dr. Ashirbani Saha is the first holder of the BRIGHT Run Breast Cancer Learning Health System Chair, a permanent research position established by the BRIGHT Run in partnership with McMaster University.
References:
1. Rolnick, David, et al. “Tackling climate change with machine learning.” ACM Computing Surveys (CSUR) 55.2 (2022): 1-96.
2. Kaack, Lynn H., et al. “Aligning artificial intelligence with climate change mitigation.” Nature Climate Change (2022): 1-10.
