As AI becomes increasingly integrated into our daily lives, its environmental impact remains largely hidden from public view. Every ChatGPT query, AI-generated image, and large language model training session consumes vast amounts of energy, water, and resources—yet big AI companies rarely disclose the true cost. With climate change accelerating, marked by extreme weather events like North Carolina’s floods and California’s wildfires, many are questioning how AI contributes to the crisis and whether innovation can coexist with sustainability.
In this episode, Brenda Darden Wilkerson speaks with two experts tackling AI’s environmental footprint from different angles. Dr. Sasha Luccioni, Climate Lead at Hugging Face, advocates for sustainable AI from within the industry, pushing for transparency and greener practices. Meanwhile, Yoca Arditi-Rocha, Executive Director at the CLEO Institute, remains skeptical that corporations will prioritize the planet over profit without external pressure. Their discussion explores whether meaningful change can come from industry insiders or if activists must hold AI companies accountable before the technology’s unchecked growth accelerates climate catastrophe.
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Our guests contribute to this podcast in their personal capacity. The views expressed in this interview are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of Anita Borg Institute for Women and Technology or its employees (“AnitaB.org”). AnitaB.org is not responsible for and does not verify the accuracy of the information provided in the podcast series. The primary purpose of this podcast is to educate and inform. This podcast series does not constitute legal or other professional advice or services.