Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav stated at the launch of Amitabh Kant and Siddharth Sinha's book, 'Smarter Than the Storm: Championing the AI-Climate Nexus for a Truly Sustainable Future,' on Tuesday that artificial intelligence (AI) should be viewed as a tool rather than an end goal. Its true value is realized when it is used to address real-world challenges, such as enhancing system efficiency and predicting and managing climate risks.
Yadav highlighted that artificial intelligence cannot exist without genuine human intellect, and humanity's future is intertwined with the planet's future. He noted that AI demands significant energy and will not only compete with humans for employment but also for resources. Yadav described the AI landscape as a storm, suggesting that to not only endure but prosper in this environment, human experience must be prioritized. He urged that the commitment to AI should focus on benefiting humans and the planet, rather than AI itself.
Yadav stated that India is progressing appropriately in addressing the inherent contradictions of AI. He mentioned that the New Delhi Frontier AI Impact Commitments, introduced at the India AI Impact Summit this month, represent a further step towards realizing this vision. 'With India at the forefront, the global community has pledged to enhance the understanding of practical AI applications to aid evidence-based policymaking concerning jobs, skills, and economic transformation. In India, we consider the economy and ecology to be closely interconnected.'
Yadav stated that India has consistently proven that it is possible to balance climate responsibility with development goals. He emphasized that their strategy is driven by fairness, magnitude, and tangible actions rather than mere words. India has illustrated that developing nations can achieve prosperity without resorting to the carbon-heavy methods of the past. The country has made significant and trustworthy advancements across various climate-related areas.
Kant, who previously served as the CEO of NITI Aayog, remarked that we are in a period of significant upheaval. 'We are witnessing the conclusion of globalization. The post-World War II period has ended... global value chains have collapsed. They are fractured. However, we are entering an era poised for the greatest surge in productivity ever, driven by data, machine learning, and AI. This technology will serve as a general-purpose tool that will revolutionize every sector of the economy.'
Kant mentioned that the victors in the AI competition will be those who utilize it to boost educational achievements, advance health results, raise nutritional levels, and address the energy requirements of AI. He remarked, 'At present, AI consumes more energy than Japan. The leaders in the AI race will be those who maximize computing efficiency with sophisticated software while minimizing computing power usage.'
Sinha, an expert in the intersection of AI and climate, mentioned that their book covers not only AI and climate but also focuses on people. 'AI can assist in various ways, from forecasting floods and wildfires to empowering a small villager in India to generate energy alongside some of the largest companies in the country... AI has utterly revolutionized and transformed the world as we know it today,' stated Sinha, who has formerly been associated with NITI Aayog.
He stated that climate change acts as a threat multiplier, impacting various aspects such as disrupting supply chains, inciting conflicts, and occasionally influencing the essential minerals or rare earth elements necessary for AI operations.