Climate concerns are colliding with the rapid expansion of artificial intelligence, which now influences how people search online, create content, and make decisions across business and government, while consuming vast amounts of energy in the process.
At a recent policy-focused technology summit in Washington, a former Google executive said society may need to accept missing climate targets to fully invest in AI, a remark that has intensified debate across the tech sector.
While some leaders argue AI could help solve global challenges, others warn that ignoring climate limits will deepen existing problems, highlighting a growing divide that is already shaping how companies build data centers, source energy, and report emissions.
A blunt message on climate goals and AI growth
At the summit, the former Google leader spoke openly about climate goals. He said the world is unlikely to meet its existing targets anyway. According to him, society is not organized well enough to reach those goals. Because of that, he argued, it makes more sense to focus on rapid AI development instead of limiting it for environmental reasons.
He explained that the energy needs of AI are so large that current conservation efforts will be overwhelmed. In his view, making AI slightly more efficient will not be enough. He said that conservation alone will not lead to major breakthroughs. Instead, he suggested that AI itself could eventually help solve climate problems if it is allowed to grow without strict limits.
These comments stood out because they came from someone who once led one of the world’s most influential technology companies. During his time at the company in the 2000s, the firm announced it had become carbon neutral for the first time. That move helped shape its public image as an environmentally responsible business.
Since then, the company has gone even further in its climate messaging. It has promised to erase its historical carbon footprint and invest heavily in clean energy. It has also set a goal to reach net zero emissions by 2030. However, recent disclosures show that these goals are becoming harder to reach.
Rising emissions inside Big Tech
Despite strong climate pledges, the reality inside large technology companies looks different. In its 2024 sustainability report, Google revealed that its total greenhouse gas emissions rose by 48 percent between 2019 and 2023. Most of that increase came after 2022, when demand for computing power surged.
This rise is closely linked to AI. Training and running large AI models requires vast data centers filled with powerful chips. These centers run day and night. They also need cooling systems, which consume even more electricity. As AI products expand, so does the energy demand behind them.
The report made it clear that the company’s net zero goal is now farther away than expected. This admission reflects a broader problem across the tech industry. Many companies promised fast emission cuts before the current AI boom began. Now they are struggling to balance those promises with business growth.
An investigation published by a major international news outlet last month added another layer to the issue. The report found that emissions from large tech firms may be much higher than publicly reported. The reason lies in how companies calculate their carbon footprints.
Many firms use what are known as “market-based” figures. These rely on renewable energy certificates, which allow companies to claim clean energy use even when the actual power supply includes fossil fuels. When emissions were recalculated using adjusted methods, one major online retailer emerged as the largest polluter by far. Its emissions were more than double those of the next company on the list.
In contrast, Google and Microsoft stood out for another reason. Both companies acknowledged the limits of market-based reporting. They pledged to move away from this system and provide clearer data. Still, their overall emissions have continued to rise, especially since 2020.
Energy choices shape the AI future
As AI expands, tech companies are making different choices to meet energy demand. Some executives, including leaders at major AI firms, are searching for cleaner options. They are investing in renewable power and exploring ways to make data centers more efficient.
Others are taking a different path. To meet immediate needs, some companies are turning back to fossil fuels. Coal and gas plants can provide steady power quickly, which appeals to firms racing to scale AI products. However, this choice increases emissions and draws criticism from climate groups.
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At the same time, several of the biggest names in technology are looking at nuclear energy. Nuclear power can produce large amounts of electricity without direct carbon emissions. Supporters say it matches the speed and scale that AI requires. Critics raise concerns about cost, safety, and long-term waste.
The former Google executive’s own investments highlight the wider reach of AI. Among his projects is a defense-focused company working on AI-powered military drones. These systems use advanced algorithms to operate at scale, showing how AI growth now extends beyond consumer products into security and warfare.
All of this points to a central tension. AI promises efficiency, innovation, and problem-solving power. Yet it also demands energy on a scale that challenges existing climate plans. Companies continue to promote green ambitions, while their emissions charts move in the opposite direction.
The debate is no longer about whether AI will grow. It is about how much society is willing to accept in the process. The comments made at the Washington summit reflect a view gaining ground in parts of the industry. According to that view, rapid AI progress matters more right now than strict climate conservation, even if that means climate goals slip further out of reach.
