At this year’s Climate Week, the spotlight is firmly on artificial intelligence (AI). World leaders and climate advocates from Manhattan to the UN General Assembly are deliberating the role of AI in addressing the climate crisis. The technology’s potential to advance climate research is juxtaposed with concerns over its energy-intensive operations.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres highlighted the dual-edged nature of AI, stating that it could exacerbate or alleviate the climate crisis. This year, the world has realized that climate goals are slipping out of reach, and now must rely on both emissions reduction and carbon removal strategies. The debate centers on whether AI can contribute meaningfully to these efforts.

Despite the billion-dollar investment in climate-tech AI, sectors like carbon management and low-carbon fuels are lagging. Meanwhile, data centers, which are crucial for AI operations, are contributing significantly to emissions. Some experts are optimistic that AI could help in areas such as catalyst research, while others are skeptical, citing the rise in natural gas-powered data centers and their long-term environmental impact.

Public support for AI is waning as people see more pollution and noise near these data centers. Climate sector leaders are calling for tech giants to demonstrate that the benefits of AI outweigh its environmental costs. The future of AI in climate solutions is thus uncertain, with much still to be seen and achieved.