Dear ChatGPT: Are you a climate solution? Or climate problem?

Some people think artificial intelligence is the best thing since sliced bread. Others say it’s the beginning of a science-fiction apocalypse. At COP28 – the U.N. Climate Change Conference – tech companies are saying AI is key to unlocking a more efficient future. But what if the truth is less sensational than all that? In this episode, how AI tools are helping and hurting efforts to curb climate change. From satellite-based flood maps to the growing energy cost of programs like ChatGPT, we’ll survey the use of artificial intelligence as a tool for climate action… and for climate distraction. Featuring David Rolnick and Karen Hao SUPPORTOutside/In is made possible with listener support. Click here to become a sustaining member of Outside/In.Subscribe to our newsletter (it’s free!).Follow Outside/In on Instagram or join our private discussion group on Facebook.Submit a question to the “Outside/Inbox.” We answer queries about the natural world, climate change, sustainability, and human evolution. You can send a voice memo to outsidein@nhpr.org or leave a message on our hotline, 1-844-GO-OTTER (844-466-8837). LINKSDavid Rolnick is one of the lead authors of this paper, called “Climate Change and AI: Recommendations for government action.”Check out ChatNetZero, an AI climate chatbot that gives you references when it answers your questions. A University of Washington researcher estimates the energy usage of ChatGPT (UW News)After a Greenpeace report outlined how tech giants have worked with the fossil fuel industry, Google said it would no longer make AI tools to “facilitate upstream extraction” for oil and gas firms. (CNBC)The Climate Summit Embraces A.I., With Reservations (New York Times)COP28 president says there is ‘no science’ behind demands for phase-out of fossil fuels (The Guardian) CREDITSHost: Nate HegyiReported, produced and mixed by Taylor QuimbyEdited by Rebecca Lavoie, NHPR’s Director of On-Demand Audio. Special thanks to Angel Hsu, and Sajjad Moazeni.Music by Blue Dot Sessions. Our theme music is by Breakmaster Cylinder.Outside/In is a production of New Hampshire Public Radio