According to Google’s recent environmental report, its climate-changing emissions have risen by 48 per cent over the past five years. This is in contrast to the company’s goal of becoming carbon-neutral
Artificial Intelligence (AI) was supposed to make humanity’s life easier; however, experts have warned about its dangers repeatedly. Moreover, many movies have dramatised all the dangers this technology poses, from someone using it for evil to the technology gaining self-awareness and destroying humanity. However, now, thanks to AI, Google is experiencing something these experts and movies didn’t account for.
Google’s efforts to achieve net-zero emissions are failing as the tech giant’s AI technology pumps out high quantities of greenhouse gas emissions.
The significant increase in greenhouse gas emissions as per AFP is largely driven by the energy demands of Google’s AI-powered data centres.
According to Google’s recent environmental report, its climate-changing emissions have risen by 48 per cent over the past five years. This is in contrast to the company’s goal of becoming carbon-neutral.
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In 2023 alone, Google’s total greenhouse gas emissions were 13 per cent higher than the previous year, primarily due to the higher energy consumption of its data centres and associated supply chain activities.
This increase comes even as Google has been scaling up its use of solar and wind energy.
Kate Brandt, Google’s chief sustainability officer, and Benedict Gomes, senior vice president, acknowledged the challenges in their report, noting, “In spite of the progress we’re making, we face significant challenges that we’re actively working through.”
“As we further integrate AI into our products, reducing emissions may be challenging due to increasing energy demands from the greater intensity of AI compute, and the emissions associated with the expected increases in our technical infrastructure investment.”
As per the AFP report, Google is not alone in grappling with rising greenhouse gases while facing the “challenge of feeding power-hungry AI data centers”.
Microsoft has also reported a 29 per cent increase in greenhouse gas emissions in 2023 compared to 2020, citing ongoing investments “in the infrastructure needed to advance new technologies.”
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Google emphasised the need for systemic changes, robust government policies, and innovative technologies to build a sustainable future. “We’re committed to collaboration and playing our part, every step of the way,” the report concluded.
