Choices make the difference.
Artificial Intelligence is often discussed as a threat to environmental sustainability. And it would be wrong to ignore the issue: data centers consume large amounts of energy and water, and the environmental impact of AI is set to become one of the most significant issues in the coming years.
But the reality, even in this case, is more complex than a “technology yes” versus “technology no.”
On World Environment Day, June 5th, I think it’s important to also look at the concrete applications that allow us to use innovation to reduce waste and preserve resources.
The article in Corriere della Sera Torino describes how SMAT – Società Metropolitana Acque Torino S.p.A., thanks to the digitalization of the network and the use of AI, has managed to monitor over 5,000 km of water infrastructure, identifying anomalies and leaks much faster than before. A concrete contribution to the protection of a precious resource like water.
As a member of SMAT’s Board of Directors, I consider this project an example of how technology can be put to work for the collective interest and the Sustainable Development Goals.
The question is therefore: how can we govern AI so that the environmental benefits it generates are greater than the resources it consumes?
Choices, responsibilities, and the ability to measure impacts exist throughout the entire supply chain. The most useful innovation is not the one that consumes less or produces more. It’s the one that helps us use the resources we have better.
