Proponents of AI proclaim that its potential for solving thorny problems outweigh the risks. At the same time, the Department of Energy estimates that data center energy demands will double or even triple in just the next three years — though new players such as China’s DeepSeek could upend all predictions. 

Still, AI’s share of energy consumption is already enormous. Demand on fresh water is at least as scary and isn’t talked about nearly enough. What can we do to reduce AI’s negative impacts? Plenty of researchers have ideas — from site selection to energy efficiency to using zero-carbon sources of energy. But even if such initiatives could outpace growing demand, what could incentivize AI corporations to take necessary action?

Join Climate One’s Greg Dalton in a provocative conversation with Google’s Chief Sustainability Officer Kate Brandt, along with Irina Raicu, Director of the Internet Ethics Program at the Markkula Center for Applied Ethics, Santa Clara University.

This program is supported by Climate One Steward Noel Perry and Next 10.