Artificial intelligence is transforming research, accelerating discovery and helping scientists tackle increasingly complex challenges.
Artificial intelligence is transforming research, accelerating discovery and helping scientists tackle increasingly complex challenges. But as the data centers that house the AI models become larger and more powerful, they can consume vast amounts of electricity and water, raising critical questions: Can AI become more sustainable? Could it actually help address climate change?
At Duke University, researchers are investigating both of those challenges. Across disciplines, faculty are developing more energy-efficient AI technologies while using AI to improve climate modeling, strengthen weather forecasting, protect oceans and modernize energy systems. The university is expanding its AI infrastructure with a small GPU center expected to open in 2027, which will be designed to minimize power and water consumption and carbon emissions through energy-efficient practices.
“Climate change is one of the defining challenges of our time, and AI can be an important part of the solution, but only if we develop it responsibly. Duke's commitment is to lead in both directions: advancing AI that helps society understand and respond to a changing planet while pioneering the energy-efficient, ethical, and equitable technologies needed to make AI itself more sustainable," said Toddi Steelman, Duke’s vice president and vice provost for climate and sustainability.
Read More at: Duke University
Photo Credit: David Johnston, PhD
