Today I wanted to talk about the effect that Artificial Intelligence has on the environment. Artificial Intelligence is a very talked about concept in the world today, and many experts still debate whether the pros of it outweigh the cons. Many times when a discussion of AI comes up, the main topic focuses on the human element or whether AI is being used correctly. I want to switch gears and talk about how the introduction of AI may be affecting the environment. Powering AI requires an enormous amount of fuel. According to cfr.org, powering a single AI machine can emit over 250,000 pounds of carbon dioxide. The Artificial intelligence industry emits the same amount of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere as the aviation industry, a known contributor to the overwhelming amount of fuel being burned into the air. The difference is, activists are championing against the use of planes and cars by promoting things like electrical cars and automobiles. Making these methods of transportation means using AI extensively, which in turn burns fuel. So while the public thinks that electric cars may be saving the environment, the production of these cars is still contributing to things like climate change. There is still an argument for the use of AI in environmental issues though. While using AI may burn fuel, what inventors can create with it may not only offset the fuel burned but create a return on investment. This is a dilemma for environmental activists because on the one hand cutting out AI will create an immediate difference, but using AI may create a more prolonged effect on the environment.