Artificial intelligence was at the front and centre of COP30

We live in a time often characterised as a polycrisis.

- DAVID TINDALL

One of those crises is human-caused climate change, an issue that was discussed by delegates at the COP30 climate talks in Belém, Brazil.

Another is disinformation, much of which has been focused on climate change. A third potential crisis comes from the implications of artificial intelligence for society and the planet.

When it comes to AI and climate change, there are a variety of opinions, from the optimistic to the pessimistic and the skeptical. Given the overarching concerns about the environmental harms of AI, it is surprising to some that Al is front and centre at COP30.

Both COP30 President André Aranha Corrêa do Lago and Simon Stiell, executive director of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, have noted the importance of AI and other aspects of technology for addressing climate change.

While there has been some consideration of Al in addressing climate change at previous COPS, COP30 is the first conference where Al has been formally integrated as a central theme in the conference agenda.

Al at COP30

On the first day of COP30, 'science, technology and artificial intelligence' was explicitly listed as one of the key themes. Initiatives included the Green Digital Action Hub, a global platform to drive a greener, more inclusive digital transformation.

Additionally, there was a session introducing the AI Climate Institute. A key goal of the AI Climate Institute is to enable Global South countries to design, adapt and implement their own Al-based climate solutions.