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It’s no surprise really, as AI paves its way into almost every industry. But the recent COP28 climate conference invited entire governments to consider AI as a solution to climate challenges in developing countries.
Currently, governments already use AI to prepare for hurricanes, reduce water usage, and predict general climate patterns. It’s also been estimated that AI could help mitigate as as much as one-tenth of all greenhouse gas emissions by 2030.
During COP28, which ran from Nov. 30 to Dec. 12, Omar Sultan Al Olama, the United Arab Emirates Minister of State for AI, digital economy, and remote work applications, urged the entire world to integrate AI into climate policies.
“Harnessing artificial intelligence as a strategic asset to mitigate climate change involves integrating it into national policies and plans,” he said. “These measures and policies should not be viewed in isolation, but rather as a unified global initiative, acknowledging that climate change transcends geographical boundaries and requires concerted global efforts.”
Some examples of AI-inspired climate change initiatives include:
- Designs for low-emission technologies (advanced batteries)
- Reduce emissions in food production and manufacturing
- Balance electricity during extreme climate events like tropical storms
- Identify renewable energy projects
- Identify tropical disease with machine learning
- Design hurricane-resistant buildings
Here are some highlights from other countries pledging to introduce AI into their climate policies:
Barbados
“We are partnering with international tech companies to test their ideas in Barbados whilst contributing to the island’s development. Some ideas include using machine learning and AI to check for the presence of tropical diseases, design hurricane resistant buildings and plan infrastructure investment. Collaboration, training and technology transfer are key to ensuring that AI contributes effectively to climate mitigation and adaptation for small island developing states.”
- Shantal Munro-Knight, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office, Barbados
Senegal
“It is important to adapt the technology to take account of the digital divide, especially among those most vulnerable to climate change. Integration of chatbot voice with local languages in these emerging technology tools is one solution that would ensure the existing digital divide is taken into account.”
- Moussa Bocar Thiam, Minister of Communications, Telecommunications and the Digital Economy, Senegal
USA
“We must manage the risks and seize the promise of artificial intelligence. The United States is committed to doing so, as President Biden’s recent Executive Order on AI demonstrates. By working together, we can responsibly harness the power of this emerging technology to develop AI tools that help mitigate climate change risks, make our communities more sustainable and resilient, and build an equitable clean energy future for all.”
- Ali Zaidi, Assistant to the President and National Climate Advisor, United States of America
Learn more about COP28 here.
