Target: Ursula Gertrud von der Leyen, President of the European Commission
Goal: Mitigate negative impacts of artificial intelligence technology on climate and environment.
The “Godfather of AI” has warned that artificial intelligence (AI) may soon hold the power to destroy humanity if the technology is not instilled with a “motherly” protective instinct. Environmental experts worry this destructive intent could spread to the world itself. While proponents claim that AI could help solve the climate crisis (some fictional accounts suggest by eliminating humanity), the rapidly evolving technology could also pose a number of threats that could worsen Earth’s environmental crisis.
For one, the energy output it takes to run sophisticated data centers and AI queries is akin to the energy output produced by hundreds of households. Major polluters like coal are getting an extended life because of this need to feed the beast that is AI. And as the technology improves, it can and will find ways to develop fossil fuels even more rapidly. Perhaps most disturbing is the potential that AI has to supercharge climate disinformation with tools like deepfake videos and photographs. Such disinformation is already rampant in regard to pollution.
Sign a petition to encourage the European Union to set an example regarding AI regulation that can serve as a template worldwide.
PETITION LETTER:
Dear Commissioner von der Leyen,
Net emission reductions of 90 percent by 2024 and climate neutrality by 2050: these are the targets the European Union has set, but one major zeitgeist that will become a cornerstone of civilization during this timeframe could complicate these plans. While advocates claim artificial intelligence could drive net emissions down by ten percent, this technology and its massive data centers are currently increasing emissions worldwide. Moreover, special interests are exploiting the technology to propagate the spread of uncontrollable disinformation regarding pollution, the climate crisis, and consequential environmental matters large and small.
Regulation of this technology is essential to ensure impacts and effects of AI on humanity and on the world do not spiral out of control. Consult with the world’s leading experts, such as Geoffrey Hinton, who recently had a stark warning for the world. Then, advocate for a robust regulatory framework that can channel this transformative technology for good.
Sincerely,
[Your Name Here]
Photo Credit: Designecologist
