AI could help unlock more oil — and emissions |
Illustration: Sarah Grillo/Axios. Stock: Getty ImagesAI could help produce more oil and natural gas — but with a climate impact outweighing the tech’s benefits for renewable energy, Axios’ Amy Harder reports from a new study. The big picture: AI can help oil companies find new resources and extract more from existing fields.At the same time, it can also improve forecasting and operations for renewables. What they found: The researchers estimate that AI could add emissions equal to roughly 1% to 5% of the global energy sector’s 2024 total.Co-author Holly Alpine tells Axios: “Most assessments of AI’s climate impact are framed as a trade-off between data center energy use and the emissions AI might help avoid through renewables and efficiency gains.” “What’s missing from that calculation entirely is the other side of the same ledger: the emissions enabled from using AI to make fossil fuel production cheaper and more profitable. “American Petroleum Institute spokeswoman Andrea Woods tells Axios: “The U.S. oil and natural gas industry is continuing to produce more energy while reducing emissions by investing in better technology, implementing stronger operational practices and supporting science-based policy. “Go deeper … Read the paper … Get Axios Future of Energy. |
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Meta
AI could help unlock more oil — and emissions
Illustration: Sarah Grillo/Axios. Stock: Getty Images
The big picture: AI can help oil companies find new resources and extract more from existing fields.
What they found: The researchers estimate that AI could add emissions equal to roughly 1% to 5% of the global energy sector’s 2024 total.