Despite its steep environmental costs, AI might also help save the planet

Artificial intelligence systems have big environmental costs but are also finding ways to save energy and water, cut emissions and make businesses more efficient.

By: Nir Kshetri, University of North Carolina – Greensboro, The Conversation

Outlets: The Conversation

Published: January 21, 2026

Words: 1,326

Last Updated: 1 month, 3 weeks ago

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By Nir Kshetri, University of North Carolina – Greensboro

The rapid growth of artificial intelligence has sharply increased electricity and water consumption, raising concerns about the technology’s environmental footprint and carbon emissions. But the story is more complicated than that.

I study emerging technologies and how their development and deployment influence economic, institutional and societal outcomes, including environmental sustainability. From my research, I see that even as AI uses a lot …

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