The IMF has reported that the benefits of AI are likely to outweigh its environmental costs, especially with proper energy planning.
Countries with strong renewable energy systems will face fewer environmental and social costs as they expand AI infrastructure.
India’s current government-supported AI development under the IndiaAI Mission is still small in scale and doesn’t heavily impact the overall energy mix yet.
However, India must actively link AI growth with renewable energy to keep long-term emissions in check.
AI data centres consume a large amount of electricity, potentially driving up power prices and emissions if powered by conventional energy.
Using renewable energy — like solar or even small nuclear reactors — at data centre sites can help reduce their environmental impact.
AI’s footprint isn’t limited to electricity; it also involves heavy mining, water use, and pollution from electronics manufacturing.
As India also wants to grow in electronics manufacturing, sustainable practices in this sector are equally important.
Meeting India’s 2070 net zero goal will require controlling emissions from fast-growing industries like AI.
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