Artificial intelligence, energy and climate change

[Link] Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly spreading in Canadian workplaces, with few laws or regulations, and little testing. New technologies can have positive and negative impacts on our society. The harmful effects of AI for Canada's energy infrastructure and the environment could outweigh any benefits we gain from these new tools. There is a responsible way to use AI as a tool in workplaces, but it will require new laws, public ownership and transparency.

This backgrounder looks at AI's energy use, its environmental impacts, the private sector's role in accelerating these impacts, and what we can do to address them.

CUPE is calling for action to protect workers and the planet

The federal government should introduce and enforce environmental laws and regulations for AI technologies

This legislation must mandate sustainability, including requiring that AI technologies be powered by clean energy. Legislation must require transparency regarding energy and water use for any AI technology in Canada and could also mandate public registries to track AI energy and water use.

The federal government should invest in and develop public digital infrastructure to secure our sovereignty

Currently, all government investment in AI supports projects developed and managed by private corporations, most of them with deep ties to the U.S. The federal government should invest in the development of public cloud infrastructure, including data centres and software for public sector use. Public ownership of digital infrastructure is important for Canada's economic independence from the U.S. and would protect Canadian sovereignty.

Employers should release information on AI environmental impacts

CUPE members can help address the impacts of AI in their workplaces. Workers should ask employers to evaluate and disclose the environmental impacts of any new AI technologies.

Download the backgrounder