Big Tech Says Generative AI Will Save the Planet. It Doesn't Offer Much Proof

The article critically examines claims made by major tech companies, particularly Google, that generative AI will significantly reduce global greenhouse gas emissions—specifically citing Google's assertion that AI could cut emissions by 5 to 10 percent by 2030. This figure, widely publicized and used in policy discussions, traces back to a 2021 Boston Consulting Group (BCG) analysis based largely on the company’s client experience rather than robust scientific data. Despite Google's later admission that AI infrastructure expansion has increased its own emissions, it continues to promote these optimistic estimates without providing detailed evidence or transparent methodology. The piece highlights the broader tension between the rapid growth of energy-intensive AI data centers and the environmental promises made by tech leaders. While executives from companies like Google, OpenAI, and organizations such as the Bezos Earth Fund emphasize AI’s potential as a climate solution, independent analysis reveals a lack of rigorous support for many such claims. Ketan Joshi’s recent report, supported by environmental groups, found that only about