Climate Change and AI (Artificial Intelligence) Technology for the Futures

Assumptions about AI and Climate Change Basically, the image of the future is a result of the assumptions we make in respect to predicting whether the future will be better, be in a steady state, as it is, or be worse and more dangerous than ever before. According to the 2022 BCG Climate AI Survey, the report revealed that 87% of global leaders with decision-making authority in AI and its impacts on climate-change viewed that future technologies together with artificial intelligence (AI) could be seen as valuable assets in the fight against climate change by 2030 and beyond (Hamid et al., 2022). Additionally, 43% of organizations expressed their interest in using artificial intelligence to address climate change, which include reduction of emission, waste recycling etc. (Hamid et al., 2022). This report indicates that there is an important level of interest in leveraging AI to combat or prevent climate crises in the future. 

Therefore, my image of the future is that Climate Change will have multifaceted solutions with the use of Artificial Intelligence and other emerging technologies. With the assumption that AI will be used in developing sustainable innovations that would be used in forecasting weather conditions, optimizing energy consumption, managing waste resources through re-use and recycling. 

The Blind spots 

With a critical lens, all these are assumptions and predictions about embracing AI technology to address climate issues in the future. It is clearly observed that this could be focused on the environmental benefits and the socioeconomic impacts, while the significance of ethical considerations, equitable access, and sustainable deployment of these innovations in both developing and underdeveloped areas in every part of the world is being overlooked. This prompted me to mention that this innovation should consider unintended consequences of the Climate and AI technology’s impacts on humans and society. More so, there is the need to advocate for responsible AI governance when it comes to climate action. This means that ethical consideration should be a priority in its implementation for the future. Likewise, this should include the equitable access and sustainable deployment of AI for climate change mitigation for effective and responsible climate solutions. 

An education-related approach 

In designing a sustainable educational approach to this innovation, priority should be placed on engaging every educational stakeholder in the development of, and the implementation of climate education and innovative learning curriculum. This curriculum will be structured to empower students with interdisciplinary skills, critical thinking, and adaptability to prepare them for unpredictable future challenges. More so, as fast as technology evolves, there should be a global inclusion of AI literacy for students both in secondary schools and in higher institutions of learning. For example, students should be encouraged to execute innovative projects to address climate change in their course of study. This will give room to early research, innovations, and implementations of ideas towards addressing climate challenges and other global challenges in the future. In addition, students will develop future-of-work-related skills, which include innovation and collaborative problem-solving. Additionally, this will foster creativity, empathy, and cultural competence that would help them navigate diverse and interconnected environments. 

 The associated strengths and risks 

Strength 

 It is understandable that using AI technology in addressing climate issues comes with its strengths, opportunities, and risks. More importantly, it should be known that artificial intelligence cannot solely be relied upon in creating innovative solutions to combat climate change in futures. However, I will mention some strengths of the AI Climate-focused innovation. 

Firstly, the adoption of Climate and AI literacy in the learning curriculum, starting with secondary school education through higher education will foster continuous research to address climate futures challenges. This will improve their knowledge and skills in solving global problems while we foster collective impact to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. In addition, advocacy and community education is another effective way to localize this concept of learning. This will help to create community consciousness and awareness on how to mitigate wastage and keep our environment safe from harmful emissions. 

Secondly, this innovation and preparation for the future will provide social innovators with opportunities to build sustainable and marketable products or inventions. The innovations and inventions will keep the world safe by addressing wastage, predicting, and communicating climate disasters earlier, and helping companies and industries to decarbonize their production (WEF, 2024). Conversely, there are several risks associated with Climate AI-related solutions. 

 

Risks 

“Every innovation comes with its benefits and challenges.” Some of the major risks associated with this innovation includes the following: 

 1. Ethical concern on the control of AI and modern technologies is accessing human data without limitations. 

 2. Equity and Accessibility of sophisticated technologies to be embraced with artificial intelligence for climate literacy in schools and communities. 

 3. Regularization of AI in policy and implementation by the government. 

 4. Economic disruption among industries and within the labor market. 

 5. Manipulation and misinformation by AI technologies and its negative impacts on humans and the environment. 

References: Hamid M., Hubertus M., Damien G., Mateo G., and Ruth F. (2022). AI Is Essential for Solving the Climate Crisis. Boston Consulting Group. https://www.bcg.com/about/people/experts/hamid-maher World Economic Forum. (2024). 9 Ways AI is Helping to Tackle Climate Change. https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2024/02/ai-combat-climate-change/