#ThisMonthInAI: ‘The future of AI in creating sustainability’

What is the first thing that comes to your mind when we talk about sustainability? Is it about hitting the perfect balance between economic growth, environmental care, and social well-being? Or, do you think of the long-term implications of anything and everything?

We believe sustainability is a mindset. Just like any other technology, AI must be adopted and implemented keeping sustainable measures in place.

The technology of today and tomorrow

Artificial Intelligence is a technology that continues to grow rapidly every year. By 2023, AI will have an estimated worth of $42 billion. This suggests that soon enough, AI will be more prevalent than ever before, taking over many of our daily tasks. It is also reported that by 2023, AI will have reached the point where it will be the single most game-changing invention in the history of humankind.

In such a scenario, it is of utmost importance that this technology exudes a sustainable approach in all manners. By creating and tracking AI-specific computing measures, sharing best practices, and supporting new and innovative AI applications for fighting climate change, we can ensure that AI is trained and deployed in the most sustainable way possible while minimizing negative impacts for the good of the planet.??

Why is it necessary to step into a sustainable AI future?

If we look closely, many AI applications enable sustainability solutions. For example, Destination Earth uses AI to create a 'digital twin' of climate change modeling, while DeepMind's AI reinforcement learning algorithm reduces data center energy use by up to 40%.?

In a scenario where computational methods are growing while sustainability concerns prevail, measuring and understanding the impact of AI computing and applications is important. AI- involved activities also have a socio-economic impact- direct and indirect. Measuring the applications will aid us in maximizing the benefits and mitigating the risks. However, the wrongful use of AI can lead to harmful effects such as increased exploitation of Fossil Fuels.??

Every step counts!

Is there something that we, as the general public, can do to ensure that sustainable measures are being followed and applied? Well, of course! Citizens should be brought to the table during the process of policymaking. This will open the door to collective intelligence and an opportunity for everyone to share their views on the same.

As for the policymakers, there should be an effort from companies, ML practitioners, and researchers to ensure the correct implementation of sustainability. Finally, governments should take measures to revisit policies and revise them with changing times and needs.?

A nation's ability to plan, anticipate, and respond to the impact of sustainable AI will increasingly depend on the domestic ability to develop new technologies such as AI-based prediction and simulation models that are sustainable to its core. The AI industry has a promising future. It has the power to transform how we perceive and interact with everything around us, revolutionize businesses, and streamline human activities. It is time to take the first step towards making AI sustainable in nature and initiate the ongoing process of continuous monitoring, un-learning, re-training, and implementing sustainability.

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If this newsletter intrigued you enough about the workings and understandings of AI and sustainability, share it with your network too! Happy reading!