New Delhi, Feb 27: Artificial intelligence has the potential to dramatically boost global productivity, but it could also deepen inequality and strain energy systems if not deployed responsibly, former NITI Aayog CEO Amitabh Kant said on Thursday.Speaking at the World Sustainable Development Summit hosted by The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) in the national capital, Kant stressed that AI must be guided by strong public infrastructure and policy frameworks to ensure it benefits society at large.“We need a digital public infrastructure for AI,” Kant said, arguing that access to advanced technologies should not be limited to a handful of corporations. Instead, he called for broader access for researchers, startups and innovators so AI can be harnessed for social good, sustainability and improved climate research.“If this doesn’t happen, then AI is not fit for purpose,” he warned.Energy Demands Raise Climate ConcernsKant also flagged the immense energy consumption associated with artificial intelligence as one of its most pressing drawbacks.“AI is an energy guzzler.
Today, the technology consumes more energy than the whole of Japan,” he said, underscoring the scale of the challenge.Training advanced large language models — AI systems that process and generate human-like text — requires enormous computing power. For instance, training GPT-3 is estimated to have consumed nearly 1,300 megawatt-hours (MWh) of electricity.Such high electricity demand can translate into higher carbon emissions if powered by fossil fuels, potentially worsening the climate crisis. Kant emphasized that AI systems must increasingly rely on renewable energy sources. However, doing so would require significant upgrades to electricity transmission networks and supply grids worldwide.Offshore Wind as a Potential SolutionAlso speaking at the summit, Charles Ogilvie, co-founder of Ocean Energy Pathway, pointed to offshore wind as one possible avenue for expanding clean energy capacity.Unlike onshore wind projects, offshore wind farms operate on sea-based platforms and do not require large tracts of land.
They can also tap into stronger and more consistent wind flows over oceans.Ogilvie noted that while India’s offshore wind sector is still in its infancy, particularly along its southern coastline, the growing number of data centres in the country could make offshore wind a strategic solution to meet rising renewable energy needs.Balancing Innovation with ResponsibilityThe remarks at the summit reflect a growing global debate: how to balance AI-driven innovation with sustainability and social equity.Kant’s message was clear — artificial intelligence can be transformative, but only if its deployment is inclusive, energy-efficient and aligned with long-term climate goals. Without deliberate policy action, he cautioned, the same technology that promises growth could widen economic divides and intensify environmental pressures.
