Artificial intelligence is often presented as a miraculous solution to address the challenges of sustainable development, but industry professionals are not as optimistic. A recent survey of over 400 European IT decision-makers, the results of which have been compiled in the ESSCA AI Barometer and presented to the French Senate, paints a mixed picture.
Only 36% of companies monitor the energy consumption of their AI systems, and just 29% measure the net greenhouse gas emissions associated with this technology. This gap between stated ambitions and actual practices raises concerns, and often translates into environmental outcomes that fall short of expectations.
Dejan Glavas, Professor of Finance and Director of the ESSCA “AI for Sustainability” Institute, explains that “Microsoft is a good example. Although the company committed in 2020 to halving its CO2 emissions by 2030, its 2024 sustainability report reveals that its indirect greenhouse gas emissions have increased by 30.9% compared to 2020. This increase is mainly due to the expansion of data centers needed to support AI technologies.”
This AI Barometer compiled by the ESSCA “AI for Sustainability” Institute and Forvis Mazars certainly shows that European companies are generally optimistic. 54% of respondents believe that AI has a positive impact in terms of sustainable development. The most cited areas of application are the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, waste management, and supply chain optimization.
However, perceptions vary greatly depending on the sector. Among the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), health, education, energy, and industry are considered the sectors where AI could have a more significant impact. In healthcare, AI is seen as a promising tool to improve diagnosis and personalize treatment. In education, it would allow for better adaptation of learning to individual needs. In energy, the technology is considered a means to optimize the production and distribution of renewable energies. In industry, it is seen as a lever for developing more sustainable processes.
However, the ESSCA AI Barometer also highlights some blind spots. Certain SDGs, such as the preservation of aquatic and terrestrial life, are rarely mentioned as areas of application.
No sufficient awareness among companies
Companies also face significant ethical challenges. Only 28% have tools to detect or address ethical issues related to AI. 18% have had to stop or adjust an AI project for ethical reasons.
Glavas points out that “the main concerns are data confidentiality, transparency of model decisions, and social impact. These issues are especially important when using algorithms for sustainable development goals, which often involve sensitive data and decisions that have a significant impact on people. This is the case, for example, with the use of AI to optimize energy consumption in smart cities.”
The ESSCA study also reveals a lack of training, not only on technical aspects, but also on the ethical, social, and environmental implications of AI. Currently, only 30% of companies offer training on the ethical use of AI. According to Glavas, “this gap can have significant consequences. Without a good understanding of the ethical and environmental implications of AI, companies risk developing solutions that, while innovative, could have unexpected negative effects on society or the environment.”