Some people think artificial intelligence is the best thing since sliced bread. Others say it’s the beginning of a science-fiction apocalypse. At COP28 – the U.N. Climate Change Conference – tech companies are saying AI is key to unlocking a more efficient future. 

But what if the truth is less sensational than all that? 

In this episode, how AI tools are helping and hurting efforts to curb climate change. From satellite-based flood maps to the growing energy cost of programs like ChatGPT, we’ll survey the use of artificial intelligence as a tool for climate action… and for climate distraction. 

Featuring David Rolnick and Karen Hao

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LINKS

David Rolnick is one of the lead authors of this paper, called change-and-ai.pdf">“Climate Change and AI: Recommendations for government action.”

Check out ChatNetZero, an AI climate chatbot that gives you references when it answers your questions. 

A University of Washington researcher estimates the energy usage of ChatGPT (UW News)

After a Greenpeace report outlined how tech giants have worked with the fossil fuel industry, Google said it wouldai-greenpeace-oil-gas.html"> no longer make AI tools to “facilitate upstream extraction” for oil and gas firms. (CNBC)

intelligence-climate-change.html">The Climate Summit Embraces A.I., With Reservations (New York Times)

COP28 president says there is ‘no science’ behind demands for phase-out of fossil fuels (The Guardian)

CREDITS

Host: Nate Hegyi

Reported, produced and mixed by Taylor Quimby

Edited by Rebecca Lavoie, NHPR’s Director of On-Demand Audio. 

Special thanks to Angel Hsu, and Sajjad Moazeni.

Music by Blue Dot Sessions. 

Our theme music is by Breakmaster Cylinder.

Outside/In is a production of New Hampshire Public Radio