OECD HomeDigitalMeasuring the environmental impacts of artificial intelligence compute and applications - The AI footprint - en
Digital
Measuring the environmental impacts of artificial intelligence compute and applications
The AI footprint
Artificial intelligence (AI) systems can use massive computational resources, raising
sustainability concerns. This report aims to improve understanding of the environmental
impacts of AI, and help measure and decrease AI’s negative effects while enabling
it to accelerate action for the good of the planet. It distinguishes between the direct
environmental impacts of developing, using and disposing of AI systems and related
equipment, and the indirect costs and benefits of using AI applications. It recommends
the establishment of measurement standards, expanding data collection, identifying
AI-specific impacts, looking beyond operational energy use and emissions, and improving
transparency and equity to help policy makers make AI part of the solution to sustainability
challenges.