Artificial Intelligence (AI) has recently become an issue in the urgent international effort to address climate change. As AI plays a bigger role in our lives, it will need massive amounts of computing power and data storage. AI's carbon footprint is expected to expand due to the high energy consumption and carbon emissions associated with hardware manufacturing.

However, the truth is more subtle, as artificial intelligence could also be a solution to problems and significantly contribute to the solution of climate change.

For example, AI could help with more accurate predictions of extreme weather events such as hurricanes, or the rate at which we can expect the world's polar ice and glaciers to melt. It could also help us better manage our energy infrastructure, such as power grids. (from Kirk Chang and Alina Vaduva, The Conversation, more at techxplore.com)