Net zero? Zero chance: AI emissions to exceed air travel, report says


Companies and governments have in recent years spent heavily on following and enforcing net zero stipulations aimed at reducing or eliminating carbon emissions by mid-century. — Pixabay

LONDON: Researchers are questioning the efforts of companies and governments to achieve so-called net-zero emissions targets while also backing the rise of artificial intelligence (AI), whose emissions are now projected to "far exceed" those of air travel.

"Tech companies’ self-reported global emissions have been growing rapidly – even before the generative AI boom," say University of Cambridge researchers, explaining that the sector will be the source of 8% of greenhouse gas emissions by the end of the next decade.

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