AI and the green transition: a ‘match made in heaven’ or risk of oppression?
Artificial intelligence (AI) is often portrayed as a technological saviour for addressing climate change. But there are risks associated with its development and use, observes Barrie Sander, Assistant Professor of International Justice at Leiden University College (LUC).
Barrie Sander is no stranger to researching the international and regional human rights frameworks that apply to digital technologies: in recent years, he has conducted work on the regulation of social media platforms and the extent to which they can and should respect human rights. More recently, as part of his new Climate AI Rights (CLAIR) project, Sander has begun to explore the intersection of AI and climate change. ‘I want to highlight the risks, burdens and challenges involved in designing and deploying AI technologies to address the climate crisis. Within legal circles, this has yet to receive significant attention.’
Four intersections of AI and climate change
In his research, Sander focuses on four intersections of AI and climate change. The first is a fairly familiar one: the fact that it takes a lot of resources to make AI work in the first place. 'It takes a lot of water to cool data centers. And the batteries in our phones are made of, among other things, lithium and cobalt, raw materials that are regularly mined through forced labour and violence. Mining these raw materials can also cause pollution. As such, AI technologies may actually contribute to climate change, rather than just combatting it,’ said Sander.
'AI-technologies intended to combat climate change are often misused.'
The second intersection is less well known: the fact that AI technologies intended to combat climate change are often misused. Sander: ‘One example is an AI project developed by the Rockefeller Foundation, the surveillance tech company Palantir, and the authorities of New Orleans. The software in this project was initially intended to prevent floods. Eventually, however, it was transformed into a predictive policing programme. In my research, therefore, I want to scrutinize "smart cities," "smart agriculture" and "smart forests" to see if AI technologies are harnessed that actually harm rather than protect the climate.’
AI as surveillance and disinformation technologies
AI technologies can also be used to actively counter climate activists or people who are victims of climate change. For example, AI-powered surveillance technologies are used to monitor climate activists and stop environmental migrants at borders. 'More money is often invested in building barriers for these groups than in actually addressing the root causes of climate change,' Sander says, shaking his head.
Finally, AI can also play a major role in the ways societies address climate change. For example, disinformation about climate change is often spread on social media platforms powered by AI, and climate activists find themselves increasingly threatened online. The discourse is furthermore heavily influenced by Big Tech companies, which have amassed significant lobbying power. 'I want to explore how AI technologies and its actors shape narratives of what climate change is and how it can be combated.'
'I want to know who actually benefits from AI technologies.'
Future plans
Sander is still in the early stages of his project and aims to begin exploring the second intersection of AI and climate change. ‘I want to know who actually benefits from AI technologies developed to combat climate change and whose interests are ignored and even harmed.’ Sander also plans to highlight his research in his teaching at LUC. 'I teach a course on digital technology and international law where this research would fit perfectly. In addition, I have noticed that students are increasingly asking for information about the impact of AI, which shows that this is a current issue.’
LUC was launched by Leiden University in 2010. Today, the college has some 600 students enrolled in its small-scale education programme, with an average of only 18 students per class. Its staff are also involved in numerous research projects and scientific collaborations, which collectively enrich their approach to teaching. Every year, LUC graduates gain places on Masters programmes at the best universities around the world, and the College’s 1700 alumni have gone on to establish themselves in a wide range of careers.
Text: Sabine Waasdorp