UNESCO highlights environmental pressures of AI at Paris summit
At a technology policy gathering in Paris, UNESCO reiterated the need for stronger international coordination to address the environmental impacts of artificial intelligence. Discussions focused on how AI’s expanding energy, water, and computing requirements intersect with global climate objectives.
UNESCO renewed its call for closer international cooperation during the Adopt AI Summit, held in Paris. The organisation warned that, without coordinated policy responses, the environmental footprint of artificial intelligence could grow alongside its deployment across sectors.
Sustainability and ethics featured prominently in summit discussions, reflecting increasing attention to the resource demands associated with large-scale AI systems and digital infrastructure.
At a panel hosted at the Grand Palais, policymakers, industry representatives, and UN officials examined the implications of AI’s rising energy consumption, water use, and computational intensity. Participants discussed how these pressures challenge efforts to align digital innovation with climate mitigation targets.
The discussion also addressed the dual role of AI, as both a contributor to environmental strain and a potential tool for climate-related applications such as modelling, monitoring, and resource management.
Public sector participants pointed to policy instruments including targeted funding and public procurement rules as ways to encourage the development and adoption of more resource-efficient AI systems. Such measures were presented as mechanisms to influence market behaviour without prescribing specific technologies.
UNESCO representatives emphasised that improvements in energy efficiency should not come at the expense of accessibility. They noted that lower-income regions depend on affordable and efficient digital tools, particularly in areas such as water management and climate resilience.
Industry participants outlined practical steps to reduce the environmental footprint of AI, including efficiency gains in model design and infrastructure, often linked to internal sustainability commitments. Despite differing institutional perspectives, speakers broadly agreed that isolated efforts are unlikely to deliver significant results.
The panel concluded that coordinated action involving governments, businesses, international organisations, and academic institutions is necessary to address the environmental dimensions of AI deployment while maintaining its potential societal benefits.
