More Technology Does Not Mean Better Solutions

29 Dec 2024 Over the past year, I have noticed increasing claims by tech companies that technology will be the savior of the world, solving climate change and a host of other common challenges we face today. It seems that technology, particularly AI, is being touted as our redeemer and the only cure worth pursuing. As a global technology advocate, I am well aware of AI’s capabilities. I do not deny that AI has significant potential in addressing climate change. It can optimize energy consumption, enhance climate modeling, and predict environmental changes with greater accuracy.
However, the solutions to climate change are already here and clearly defined; they do not depend on new technological breakthroughs. As the Chair of the Consortium of Sustainable Urbanization, I can affirm that the most impactful solution, as laid out by scientists, is replacing fossil fuels with renewables. This remains the most effective solution, with proven methods ready for implementation.
The urgency to release AI products that will aid us seems to be happening in a concerning manner. This urgency is sometimes justified at the cost of proper governance and adequate checks and balances, in an effort to bring innovation to the marketplace. This attitude can lead to trouble with technology that has not been properly vetted before release.
Despite this, the tech barons continue to push for more innovation, often prioritizing profit over the planet’s well-being. This relentless pursuit of new technologies can sometimes overshadow the urgent need to implement existing solutions. We need to return to basics. Scientists have been issuing stark reminders about the critical state of our climate, emphasizing that immediate and decisive action is necessary. The climate cost of developing AI itself is huge due to the resources needed to build AI models. This is a line we must tread carefully, as more technology is not always the answer.
The global emergency of climate change requires solutions that are already within our grasp. It may be a bitter pill to swallow, but the reality is that we have had these solutions for a while now. The challenge lies not in discovering new technologies but in deploying the ones we already have. Unfortunately, these solutions are not always attractive to corporations because they may not offer financial benefits and come at a cost.
There needs to be a fundamental shift in the corporate mindset from a profit-only orientation to one that prioritizes environmental sustainability. This shift is crucial for addressing climate change effectively. The focus should be on implementing existing solutions rather than waiting for the next technological breakthrough.
As the AI boom explodes around us, we must be level-headed and take two steps back rather than being constantly enthralled by the latest innovation as the solution. This technology must be subject to the strictest controls due to the power it holds. We must also not downplay the solutions we already have in our hands. We already have the solution to climate change; it is just a question of how serious we are about implementing it.