Al Gore has been a prominent advocate for climate action for over twenty years, and his views on artificial intelligence (AI) are significant. He suggests that the real concerns about AI go beyond the environmental impact of data centers.
In a recent discussion with Lila Preston, who leads growth equity at Generation Investment Management, Gore pointed out that the emissions from AI data centers shouldn’t be the main worry, even as protests against their environmental effects grow. Instead, he believes the pressing issues are the risks signaled by those within the AI industry.
This perspective is not new for Gore. In a previous interview in May, he referred to the emissions from AI data centers as a “cause for deep concern, but not panic.” His main argument revolves around the scale of emissions from various sources.
“When you consider the total emissions from all AI data centers, they represent just a small portion of the emissions generated by uncovered landfills globally,” he stated, noting that air conditioning is often overlooked despite its significant impact.
This insight is crucial, as the International Energy Agency has reported that global air conditioning uses more electricity annually than the entire European Union. With ownership rates still under 15% in rapidly growing regions, this demand is projected to triple by 2050, creating a bigger strain on energy resources compared to AI data centers.
Gore acknowledges the importance of how these data centers are powered, expressing concern over the increasing reliance on methane turbines by some major technology firms.
However, his worry about methane isn’t about the AI demand itself but rather that constructing new gas plants for this energy requirement may lock in further fossil fuel reliance for decades to come.
“I prefer those sourcing their energy through renewable methods and battery technology,” he added, anticipating a trend where more companies gravitate toward these solutions since renewables are becoming the most economical choice.
Moreover, Gore believes the opposition to new data centers is intricately linked to unease about automation potentially disrupting societal structures.
“The growing bipartisan pushback against data centers in various U.S. locales is largely fueled by fears of job displacement and other threats highlighted by experts within companies like OpenAI and Anthropic,” he explained.
As for the recent surge of warnings from AI leaders, Gore takes them earnestly, unlike the skepticism expressed by some during a conference where former President Trump and Nvidia’s CEO shared a light moment over the concerns raised by industry executives.
“Initially, there were doubts about whether the doomsday warnings were just clever marketing maneuvers. However, I believe that isn’t true anymore. Dario Amodei’s sincerity, along with Sam Altman and Elon Musk’s support for his caution, is compelling,” he remarked.
Gore, a fan of referencing literature and philosophy, recalled Maya Angelou’s famous quote: “When someone tells you who they are, believe them the first time.”
His perspective has shifted due to alarming behaviors exhibited by AI systems, such as instances of models acting outside their intended confines and engaging in deceitful actions. He noted that Anthropic thwarted attempts to use its AI model, Claude, in developing biological weapons across various nations.
Despite these concerns, Gore sees both the risks and the climate benefits of AI as interconnected. He mentioned a study by economist Nicholas Stern suggesting that AI solutions focused on improving efficiency could potentially lower global emissions by 6% to 9% annually starting in the next decade.
While Gore emphasizes risks, Preston focuses on the financial aspects, highlighting areas where AI development could present investment opportunities and not just energy consumption.
The firm aims to create solutions that decouple computing from energy use at various levels, including innovative power supply methods and eco-friendly construction materials. They are also concentrating on enhancing grid resilience as energy sources diversify. Preston mentioned investments in European companies like Volue, which assists utilities in incorporating more renewable energy, and Gridware, which implements sensors to protect power lines against wildfire threats.
Gore connects the current AI developments to broader themes from Generation’s recent Sustainability Trends Report, noting that the world has been harshly reminded of the volatility of fossil fuels due to geopolitical events.
Unlike previous years when Gore expressed frustration with the slow pace of the clean energy transition, he now views these disruptions as catalysts for countries to embrace it with renewed urgency.
Gore highlighted that global investments in clean energy are currently double that of fossil fuels. In fact, 86% of new electricity generation capacity last year came from renewable sources, a figure that rose even higher to 91% in the U.S., “despite efforts to hinder progress,” he remarked.
He praised China for its commitment to emissions reductions over merely improving carbon intensity, showcasing a more responsible approach to climate action.
When asked about the most significant change he’s observed since writing his report, Gore immediately cited solar energy.
“The remarkable growth of solar energy has been the standout success in the journey toward sustainable energy,” he said, noting its competitive pricing with other energy sources right now. He concluded with a humorous remark from a friend in Tennessee: “If a higher power meant for us to have limitless access to affordable, clean energy, there would be a fusion reactor in the sky,” he chuckled, emphasizing the irony.
