Can A.I. help us save the environment?
It is suggested that we live in era of the anthropocene - the age of human - the term derives from the fact that since the first industrial revolution human activities have had significant global impact on Earth’s geology and ecosystems.
It is suggested that we live in era of the anthropocene - the age of human - the term derives from the fact that since the first industrial revolution human activities have had significant global impact on Earth’s geology and ecosystems. Greenhouse gases as co2 and methane through combustion of fossil fuels and mass agricultural productions are having a large impact on the global warming. This has fostered a growing concern about these issues in a wide range of countries, and sustainability has become one of the determining political issues the last couple of years. Therefore, to name the geological epoch the age of human would foster a recognition of the responsibility for the future of the Earth.
However, the solution to the problem might not be found on the human agenda, but instead through artificial intelligence. Even though A.I. is human made, the essential distinction is that it will take over the human process and advance human’s capabilities on the area. A vide variety of artificial intelligence-based developments will influence the future of the environment and hence sustainability. Industries such as Green Computing will generally reduce environmental-hostile materials, increase energy efficiency and promote waste management. Algorithms based on big data will improve every machine in the household to save energy, electronic self-driving cars will drive more efficient routes to improve time and avoid traffic jams and decrease traffic accidents. Furthermore, based on deep machine learning developments the food industry can create the taste, flavour, and texture of animal products such as milk and meat purely based on plants! The result can both decrease the breeding of animals and also fight world hunger.
All these solutions stem from the development of technology based on Big Data and Deep Machine Learning. As a common trait these technologies are developed in such a way that they do not need the influence of humans when first developed and can thus function independently. As a consequence, the anthropocene - the age of man - may well be defined because of human’s impact on earth, but the saving will not. In the future, humans will need the help of A.I. to sought things right and help Mother Earth back on track.