Artificial intelligence has flourished in the last decade and its popularity in the technological domain has extended to other fields as well. Artificial intelligence as a discipline deals with the science of providing intelligent and cognitive capabilities to machines and making them achieve their goals in a way similar to humans. Artificial intelligence has enabled us to achieve proficiency in self driven cars, chatbots, humanoid technology, medical sector, telecommunication, decision science and the like.
In addition to this, artificial intelligence has now been extended to the environmental domain as well so that sustainability can be attained in the long run. The noteworthy aspect of extension of AI to the environmental domain is the surge in research projects and collaborative mechanisms in this regard.
As the scope of artificial intelligence has increased considerably, the research themes associated with this discipline have also increased. Top training institutions of the world are now providing training in specific research themes of AI so that sector specific progress and advancement is made.
However, it is data processing, analytics and insights that is a common factor of all these research themes. Professionals with analytics certification can not only choose a research theme of their choice but can also contribute in a significant way to technological progress. Although there are a large number of research projects and themes that fascinate and attract professionals, we highlight the top three attractions of 2021.
Green AI: Highly funded AI project
It is important to look at some of the case studies where artificial intelligence has paved the way for sustainable technologies. Google makes use of large data centres that need cooling from time to time. With the help of artificial intelligence, we are not only able to reduce energy consumption in these data centres but are also successful in reducing the cost of cooling by more than 50%. Similarly, IBM is involved in making models for weather forecasting that are powered by artificial intelligence.
Artificial intelligence not only helps in making accurate predictions but also helps in reducing computation costs by more than 20%. Other companies that deal with the renewable energy sector are making use of artificial intelligence models to achieve energy efficiency and reduce carbon emissions.
In addition to this, companies like xcel energy that deal with the prediction of energy consumption patterns are making use of artificial intelligence as well as predictive analytics. This is paving the way for increased energy efficiency, in addition to highlighting the ways and means where renewable energy can prove to be a suitable option.
Think tanks like carbon tracker are making use of artificial intelligence for tracking carbon emissions from various sources with the help of satellite imagery. This has two essential advantages. Firstly, it helps in sending periodic warnings to the plants which breach the prescribed carbon emission level. Secondly, it helps in planning a sustainable future with the help of lower carbon footprint ventures.
AI and SDGs: A united nations initiative
The sustainable development goals consist of 17 goals and 169 targets related to the environment, economy, and society. This signifies the wide area as well as the scope of sustainable development goals. With the help of artificial intelligence, we can track the achievement of SDGs and undertake subsequent amendments to the above-mentioned goals in a timely manner.
Most of the SDGs are centered around addressing the environmental challenge. With the help of artificial intelligence, we can deploy state-of-the-art models for detecting carbon emissions and working on technology that can help in the removal of extra greenhouse gases from the atmosphere. Artificial intelligence can also help in drafting a framework through which we can develop sustainable transportation networks as well as logistics chains. With the help of this technology, we can undertake automation in various sectors that are heavily dependent upon non-renewable sources of energy.
This can not only cut emissions but also help in increasing efficiency over a period of time. The monitoring of carbon reserves, keeping a check on deforestation, and predicting extreme weather events can be made possible with the help of advanced models powered by artificial intelligence. We can say that artificial intelligence has a unique potential to address the environmental challenges that we are confronted with, in the present times.
AI and climate change engineering: AI to safeguard our future
Artificial intelligence models can help in the optimization of energy generation as well as increasing energy efficiency. This can have a positive connotation on the energy life cycle in general and climate change engineering in particular. Climate change engineering focuses on three main cornerstones that include the use of renewable sources of energy, increase in energy efficiency, and reduction in carbon emissions.
Undoubtedly, targeting all these objectives of climate change engineering is possible with the help of artificial intelligence technology. For instance, Artificial Intelligence can help in optimizing the demand-supply cycle of energy, monitoring energy grid systems, and deploying smart models for data monitoring of power grids and commercial buildings.
Concluding remarks and the way ahead
Artificial intelligence holds the potential for reducing carbon emissions, minimizing our carbon footprint, and increasing our energy efficiency. With the help of this technology, we can lay down a concrete roadmap for a resilient economy and a sustainable environment that meets the needs of our future generations in the times to come.
