As artificial intelligence takes center stage at the United Nations climate conference in Antalya, its actual impact on climate change remains heavily debated. While tech companies claim AI could drastically reduce global emissions, current reviews suggest industries are not doing enough to harness these tools for climate action. According to a peer-reviewed study led by the London School of Economics, AI could help cut emissions by the equivalent of 3.2 to 5.4 billion tons of carbon dioxide annually by 2035. However, these potential gains largely remain aspirational.
In the power sector, AI-driven forecasting could increase renewable electricity on the grid by up to 20 percent. Yet, aside from one successful UK partnership, major operators show little evidence of meaningful integration. The meat and dairy sector faces an even starker reality; venture capital for cultivated meat plummeted from a 989 million dollar peak in 2021 to around 83 million dollars last year. Conversely, the transportation sector offers hopeful exceptions, with companies like CATL and Didi Chuxing successfully using AI to optimize processes and cut emissions.
Beyond unmet expectations, the carbon footprint of AI itself creates a substantial problem. Oil and gas companies are exploring these tools to potentially increase fossil fuel production, while the rapid buildout of data centers has led tech firms to fall off track with their climate goals. The International Energy Agency forecasts that global data center emissions could exceed 300 million tons annually in 2035.