The Environmental Canker That is Artificial Intelligence; An Analysis of the Environmental Impacts of AI and the Status of AI Regulation as a Responsive Mechanism

ABSTRACT

Over the past few years, Artificial Intelligence (“AI”) has been pervasive to say the least. There is nearly no field that can boast of remaining unadulterated by the spread of AI. It has much commendation for being the root cause for the quantum leaps in several fields after decades of stagnation. Notwithstanding this modern technology being in its golden era, AI has faced much criticism for the notable problems that stem from its production and use, with one of the major, yet seemingly obscure victims of AI being the environment. The diffusion of AI has garnered the universal attention of states, regional and international organizations who have responded by taking steps to create frameworks for the regulation of AI. This paper would begin by examining the evolution of AI since its conception in the 1940s until now. Afterwards, there will be a discussion on the advantages and disadvantages of AI across the various areas which it has permeated. Following this, there shall be a detailed analysis of the impact of AI on the environment, with particular regard to the negative environmental impacts that have already begun to manifest and are estimated to worsen with time. There shall then be an evaluation of the regulatory frameworks for AI established and yet to be established by states and regional and global organisations, focusing on the extent to which these frameworks address the negative environmental impacts of AI. This paper shall conclude with a call for AI production, use and regulation to not be without contemplation of the technology’s negative effects on the environment and possible solutions to mitigate them.