Developing Human-AI Relations to Reach Net-Zero Goals
Use AI to manage Net-Zero Goals: Projections show that AI will help reduce greenhouse gas emissions in North America by 6.1% by 2030.
The world is undergoing unprecedented change as humans adopt new solutions equipped with machine learning, artificial intelligence (AI), and Internet-of-Things (IoT) capabilities. Artificial intelligence is transforming infrastructure systems across the globe, making them more sustainable through enhanced efficiency. These range from applications like electricity-use monitoring to intelligent traffic light systems, which can revolutionize the way entire cities operate and preserve limited resources.
This transition, while overwhelmingly positive, does not come without challenges. As AI becomes embedded in daily life, humans must adapt to function cohesively with unfamiliar technology. For instance, AI-powered solutions in power plants that provide intelligent recommendations might be difficult for workers to adjust to as recommendations depart from traditional methods of operations. During this period of growth, humans will develop a new set of technological skills to take advantage of the novel tools at their fingertips. But this will take time, and maintaining flexibility will be crucial as technologies continue to change.
The benefits of stable human-AI relations will outweigh all challenges faced when forging them — the world will experience a period of increased human creativity and innovation as AI is incorporated into daily life. This creativity is exactly what’s needed to solve the world’s biggest challenge: climate change.
Racing to Net-Zero Goals
Initiatives designed to reduce waste and preserve resources can only progress so quickly with the clock ticking for humans to cut carbon emissions. As scientists work tirelessly to design new solutions to take carbon out of the atmosphere, artificial intelligence can aid efforts on the ground. In fact, AI is already driving dozens of efforts to fight climate change.
The power industry is one of the biggest contributors to climate change due to decades of reliance on fossil fuels. Organizations are employing AI to solve issues in this industry related to the aging electrical grid, but also to develop greener energy production tactics and analyze consumer electricity use. Through weather forecasting and energy demand projections, AI solutions can even prevent grid failures that might occur from climate change-related weather events.
At the enterprise level, AI platforms monitor, make predictions, and offer suggestions regarding machinery replacements or repairs. Predictive maintenance allows facility operators to plan for future needs, which can save energy and prevent costly downtime.
AI for waste reduction is already in play, with AI-infused chips for robotics at the edge which work to prevent equipment failure through leak detection and other monitoring features. Keeping equipment in play longer lessens the impact of that hardware on the environment and keeps it out of landfills.
These are just a few examples of how AI can be used to a collective advantage — stronger electrical grids, energy preservation, and waste reduction serve to lessen the impact of climate change and decrease carbon emissions.
Trusting Artificial Intelligence
There is a widespread lack of trust in AI solutions, often due to the reliance on traditional technologies and methods across industries. On top of this, businesses will hesitate to adopt AI solutions because traditional AI operates in a black box, leaving human operators in the dark by providing recommendations that come with zero traceability or reasoning. These platforms are a major roadblock to the benefits that will come with widespread AI usage.
As a result, new hybrid AI solutions have grown in popularity. These tools are purpose-made to put an end to the black box problem, furnished with the ability to create explainable recommendations and display the reasoning behind its suggestions. Hybrid AI provides a clear trail of the data it used to draw conclusions, readily available in a digestible format for human operators. This addresses the trust issue, as it solidifies the sense that AI solutions exist to work with humans as a helpful supplement, rather than replace them.
Improving human confidence in AI solutions starts with visibility and transparency. When humans do trust AI, decision-makers can rely on AI tools to react quickly in unanticipated circumstances. The advantages fostered by this reliance and cooperation are numerous, but most notably include a faster progression towards net zero goals, as human creativity is augmented by artificial intelligence.
As the uptake of AI solutions increases, organizations will continue to shrink their carbon emissions.
In fact, projections show that AI will help reduce greenhouse gas emissions in North America by 6.1% by 2030. This is increasingly important as the global population grows and the world runs out of time to act against climate change. Through improved efficiency, waste reduction, and the preservation of resources, AI is changing the way organizations operate and aiding the transition towards net-zero. However, this trend will only continue if humans learn to work collaboratively with AI. AI that is transparent about its reasoning and logic will promote the positive human-AI relations that are required to address climate change.
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