In the media
01.09.2022

Lynn Kaack calls for more awareness on the environmental impact of AI in ZEIT ONLINE

In the fight against climate change, “It is important to understand what artificial intelligence can change in your own life,” says the machine learning expert.

As industries increasingly embrace artificial intelligence (AI) to advance sustainability goals in a time marked by worsening climate and energy crises, AI’s potentially large carbon footprint calls for increased public awareness and transparency in the technology’s usage, according to Lynn Kaack, Assistant Professor of Computer Science and Public Policy, in an article for ZEIT ONLINE from 13 July.

„Not everyone needs to understand algorithms,” says Kaack. “But it is important to understand what artificial intelligence can change in your own life, in what areas and for what purpose the technology is being used, and what impact it has on climate change.”

Measuring the actual environmental impact of AI and machine learning can be tricky, since there are many factors at play – not only the energy consumption of data centres but also how AI is used to help or hinder climate action. Evaluating the effects of AI on the climate was the topic of a recent publication in Nature Climate Change by Kaack and co-authors in June.

Read the full article (in German) in ZEIT ONLINE here.

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More about our expert

  • Lynn Kaack, Assistant Professor of Computer Science and Public Policy