Artificial Intelligence Against Climate Change

Abstract

The industrial, transportation, and residential sectors draw the most energy in the United States. With most energy created by burning fossil fuels, a highly inefficient method of energy creation, global greenhouse gas levels are rising, raising the temperature of the earth, causing natural processes to become unbalanced. The health of the earth is declining. The rise of technology and persisting growth of computing devices known as the Internet of Things (IoT) and increasing automation of systems through Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) is a factor of energy expenditure as more humans desire devices and more systems are built. The ethical implications of utilizing new technology should be evaluated before creating more. This paper explores modern computing systems in the sectors that draw the most energy, and, more specifically, the role AI and IoT play in them. Each sector may become more energy efficient, productive, and safer by introducing edge computing through IoT devices and coupling it with AI computing abilities that already automate most processes. Multiple studies show energy consumption and costs are lowered when edge computing is paired with the IoT and AI. There is less human involvement, more regularity in execution and performance, and more widespread use because of the accessibility. This creates safer, cheaper, energy-efficient systems that utilize existing technology. The ethical implications of these systems are much more positive than what already exists. Coupling the power of AI with the IoT will reduce energy expenditure in modern systems and create a more sustainable world.