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Can AI Help Solve the Climate Crisis? | Sims Witherspoon | TED

“AI can be a transformational tool in our fight against climate change,” says Sims Witherspoon, a leader at the AI research lab Google DeepMind. Using wind power as her case study, she explains how powerful neural networks can help us better predict Earth’s changing ecosystems and accelerate the breakthrough science needed to create a carbon-free…

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“AI can be a transformational tool in our fight against climate change,” says Sims Witherspoon, a leader at the AI research lab Google DeepMind. Using wind power as her case study, she explains how powerful neural networks can help us better predict Earth’s changing ecosystems and accelerate the breakthrough science needed to create a carbon-free energy supply.

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43 Comments

43 Comments

  1. Robert Putnam

    September 21, 2023 at 9:03 am

    AI is fine but it won’t make ordinary people willing to make the sacrifices that are adequate to fully solve the problem. Everyone has an excuse that “It’s too hard. I can’t go all the way. Other people must change.” Things don’t change until there’s a crisis, and that’s inevitably too late.

  2. Britton Price

    September 21, 2023 at 9:05 am

    I believe in climate change. It’s called the Tribulation.

  3. Alex S V

    September 21, 2023 at 9:06 am

    This person speaks as AI would speak. The message doesn’t come across, it’s canned.

  4. M

    September 21, 2023 at 9:15 am

    What is the ideal climate of Earth?

  5. Grumpie

    September 21, 2023 at 9:17 am

    i feel with the rise of actual AI, and not just data regurgitation, might actually lead to the loss of human skill and knowledge – taking the forecasting example, using AI for something relatively simple and also wildly unpredictable, the AI could be able to predict what the weather will be like, but without the actual “intelligence” portion or inference of weather patterns that meteorologists provide, the AI could also falsely predict something much like humans do. Creating, Problem Solving, Logic, things that actual make us “human,” would all suffer due to the simplicity and reliability of AI

  6. NAWhoknew

    September 21, 2023 at 9:37 am

    There is no climate crisis

  7. Old Scientist

    September 21, 2023 at 9:40 am

    There is nothing to solve. There is no objective observational evidence that we are living in a global climate crisis.
    The UN’s IPCC AR6, chapter 12 “Climate Change Information for Regional Impact and for Risk Assessment”, section 12.5.2, table 12.12 confirms there is a lack of evidence or no signal that the following have changed:
    Air Pollution Weather (temperature inversions),
    Aridity,
    Avalanche (snow),
    Average precipitation,
    Average Wind Speed,
    Coastal Flood,
    Agricultural drought,
    Hydrological drought,
    Erosion of Coastlines,
    Fire Weather (hot and windy),
    Flooding From Heavy Rain (pluvial floods),
    Frost,
    Hail,
    Heavy Rain,
    Heavy Snowfall and Ice Storms,
    Landslides,
    Marine Heatwaves,
    Ocean Acidity,
    Radiation at the Earth’s Surface,
    River/Lake Floods,
    Sand and Dust Storms,
    Sea Level,
    Severe Wind Storms,
    Snow, Glacier, and Ice Sheets,
    Tropical Cyclones.
    There is no objective observational evidence that we are living through a global climate crisis. None.

  8. Nick Pearce

    September 21, 2023 at 9:43 am

    Hopefully AI will help create climate models that aren’t 2x to 5x incorrect, like our current models are. That way we can create policies based on data, not neuroticism.

    • wjfox2006

      September 21, 2023 at 2:10 pm

      But that’s just simply incorrect. The models have been largely accurate, and in fact, may have underestimated the climate sensitivity. You really need to stop reading amateur denialist blogs and instead look at what NASA and myriad other science agencies are saying.

  9. science 21

    September 21, 2023 at 9:55 am

    There is no any climate crisis.

  10. Eduardo P.

    September 21, 2023 at 10:21 am

    Nah … I just hope one day AI can solve human ignorance and hypocrisy, the only thing that will save the planet …. Who knows …

  11. Sallie Mae

    September 21, 2023 at 10:22 am

    Thank you for sharing this. I read a video from a reliable source that the US government has plans to spray the atmosphere with Sulfur dioxide to lower the temperature .I think this is not a good idea because Sulfur dioxide is a toxic chemical emitted when volcano erupts.Maybe let us fine or stop the operation of companies whose carbon dioxide emission level is above the normal range . What about planting plants such as snake plants .Plants emit oxygen .It is too late to plant trees now .but when we are desperate to find solution why not . What about the idea of solar panels ?

  12. Zak W

    September 21, 2023 at 10:37 am

    Humans can’t solve homelessness, a problem we created. What makes you think we can change a planetary trajectory? Lol.

  13. Dr Woody

    September 21, 2023 at 11:04 am

    It said kill all humans so yes it can

  14. Will McDougle

    September 21, 2023 at 11:04 am

    No. And Not a thing. Climate change is REAL. Man thinking they have any control over it is just sad gaslighting to humans predisposed to fear.

  15. Steven P

    September 21, 2023 at 11:33 am

    Short answer is no.

  16. Sean Lumly

    September 21, 2023 at 12:18 pm

    Nonsense. Renewables can and have been installed at scale. The incentive is for common people to gain access to affordable energy, and to curb environmentally destructive CO2 emissions.

    I’m tired of this capitalist nonsense.

  17. gengiz olcaytore

    September 21, 2023 at 12:18 pm

    We don’t need AI to solve the climate crisis just the political will

  18. Americron

    September 21, 2023 at 12:22 pm

    AI also consumes plenty of resources and energy, and it becomes hungrier as it develops. It’s a bit of an oxymoron what you’re presenting.

  19. WubThatJonnyC

    September 21, 2023 at 12:23 pm

    🥳🤡💩

    • Hel1mutt

      September 22, 2023 at 2:10 am

      best first comment ive seen this year

  20. ImproveYourMagic

    September 21, 2023 at 12:36 pm

    Global Warming Crises is what people should be saying.

  21. Davydh Trethewey - mawkernewek

    September 21, 2023 at 12:47 pm

    This talk is total waffle without any real technical content.

  22. naejin

    September 21, 2023 at 12:54 pm

    Will AI figure out the problem is humans?

  23. Brian McInnis

    September 21, 2023 at 1:39 pm

    Gore? Well I should say he’s certainly done *something* to help, yes.

  24. Regina Quintana

    September 21, 2023 at 6:48 pm

    That’s really more for commercial applications. Renewable is amazing for individual households especially if you account for energy costs fluctuating like it’s on the nyse. So if pg&e need revenue, or Elon and whoever else need nuclear – those people have enough money to do it themselves. Leave us poor human beings out of your messy lives.

  25. Aleksei Li

    September 21, 2023 at 9:07 pm

    Simple stop using and experience HAARP weather manipulation weapon

  26. Rick LaBanca

    September 21, 2023 at 9:30 pm

    Better money grab if you use TWO hollow terms.
    Ai is the blockchain of last spring.
    And climates…. change.

  27. taro

    September 21, 2023 at 11:15 pm

    なんだろう。。言ってることはごもっともだけど、
    結局最後の主張は、このプレゼンターにはメリットあるけど、協力者側にはメリット無い話で、結局オーディエンスに何を主張したかったのかよく分からなかった。

  28. C Jones

    September 21, 2023 at 11:28 pm

    Oh sure. We can solve climate change with more software. After all, it’s not enough software that got us into this mess.

  29. Allison Goulart

    September 22, 2023 at 1:15 am

    its absolutely not

  30. Woodstock's Corner

    September 22, 2023 at 1:23 am

    Wouldn’t it be funny if AI came back and said there is no climate crisis! And it’s the government making it all up! 🤣😂🤣

    • 5 Minute Calms

      September 23, 2023 at 5:57 am

      Seeing the climate change in my own city and country over the decades I can understand and experience this.

  31. Ezra Blake

    September 22, 2023 at 3:27 am

    she has that crazy eyes

  32. Maria Antonietta Montella

    September 22, 2023 at 4:51 am

    bravissima

  33. Mike Staub

    September 22, 2023 at 7:43 am

    Bitcoin mining will be a critical component of the deployment of renewables. Also, I don’t take anyone seriously when they consider fusion a viable solution to the climate crisis.

  34. Mi Ka El

    September 22, 2023 at 3:16 pm

    Theres already NASA images of every other planet in the solar system also rising in temperature. Its a natural cycle.

    If we really wanna get rid of the human carbon footprint, lets disclose and release, en-masse, the supressed Free Energy Technology that already very much exists.

  35. 5 Minute Calms

    September 23, 2023 at 5:55 am

    This is such an important talk. I wish Ted would get more people on to spread awareness about today’s most critical issue of climate change…

  36. 周星星

    September 23, 2023 at 6:34 am

    I think the problem is not only what or if AI can help, it’s the impact how much it can help. In the context of the scientific inquiry, the focal point shifts from AI to the audience. Should the audience exhibit a markedly low CO2 emissions profile, the magnitude of the assistance’s discernible impact diminishes.

  37. Kiters Refuge

    September 23, 2023 at 2:02 pm

    This is like someone giving a talk in the main hall of the Titanic about what should be done to the gigantic gash on the side of the ship. We have a GIGANTIC gash in the earth: 1400 Gigatons of CO2 (and CH4 but to a lesser extent, and growing). We are @ +1.5 degrees centigrade. Even if we stopped fossil fuels use now, this very second, we are still slated for +2 to +3. So, stop talking nonsense, and start talking about the only solution we have which is a tactical one: cooling the earth. Moving to renewables will take decades; this is a strategic one. (oh before anyone, including “scientists” suggest putting stuff in the atmosphere, STOP IT, that is total nonsense and would be a giant experiment to our detriment at best).

  38. הרצל מימון

    September 24, 2023 at 4:00 am

    Farms are equipped with generators from wind turbine energy and solar cell panels over the entire area of the farm. When the weather is winter, the electricity will be received from the wind turbines, when the weather is summer, the electricity will be received from the solar cells. Smart controllers are integrated. But if we think carefully about all the advantages and all the disadvantages, only nuclear electric energy. Stations that will be built far from settlements. in strict international regulations. (True, there will be a drop in energy when transported to a distance, but the power of the product and its cost will offset this). The damage of carbon is far greater than the chances of damage from a nuclear plant. You need to change the diskette in your head and avoid nuclear energy in thinking beyond 2023.

  39. Invox

    September 24, 2023 at 11:16 am

    The problem is not identifying the issue, or finding the solution (we’ve known this for ages). The problem is getting people to change… And no AI is ever going to do that.
    (unless they’re the Terminator) 😅

  40. Andrea Fiorini

    September 25, 2023 at 1:19 am

    No

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