How New York can set the foundation for sustainable AI
Governor Kathy Hochul has set an ambitious goal for New York: to become a national and global leader in AI research and development. Yet, as AI’s energy demands grow, this vision brings an added responsibility—AI’s growth in New York must align with the state’s climate goals to truly lead on a global scale. With New York already lagging behind on hitting its ambitious environmental benchmarks – like reducing carbon emissions by 40% by 2030 – and major renewable energy projects stalled or scrapped, the introduction of a technology as energy-intensive as AI stands to further threaten the state’s climate goals.
To achieve the Governor’s stated goal of leading in the development and deployment of generative AI, New York must lead in sustainable AI — AI's growth should be part of the solution, not the problem.
With the possibility of significant shifts in federal environmental policy following the 2024 U.S. election, states face a critical imperative to maintain climate momentum. Historical precedent shows that during periods of federal environmental deregulation, state-level leadership becomes essential for maintaining progress on climate goals. California's decades-long leadership on vehicle emissions standards demonstrates how state action can drive national markets and corporate behavior, even without federal support. New York now has both the opportunity and responsibility to play a similar role in sustainable AI development.
New York is leading in the development and deployment of AI.
The state has taken bold steps – launching the Empire AI platform earlier this year a public-private partnership giving New York's academic institutions access to high-performance computing for responsible AI research – to lead in the development and deployment of AI. This initiative joins other significant investments, including a $1 billion commitment to semiconductor research and development at Albany NanoTech Complex. With its concentration of tech talent, research institutions, and financial resources, New York has the foundation to shape AI's future trajectory, and therefore also bears the responsibility of accelerating this growth in a way that is sustainable and aligned with the state’s climate goals.
Governor Hochul’s investment in AI could create the foundation for a sustainable AI ecosystem.
New York stands at a critical juncture: Governor Kathy Hochul's recent consideration of delaying the state's 2030 climate goals due to AI's power consumption presents both a challenge and an opportunity to pioneer sustainable AI development. Some strategic initiatives that could support this vision include:
In the absence of federal guidance, Hochul’s administration has the opportunity to lead by convening industry leaders, policymakers, environmental advocates, and tech developers to establish self-regulatory standards that prioritize sustainable AI. This summit would not only promote economic growth but also ensure AI development aligns with climate goals. Much like current conversations on AI bias and responsible use, this initiative could place sustainable AI firmly on the map, helping create actionable guidelines and align public expectations around eco-conscious tech.
Launch public-private partnerships that drive innovation in sustainable AI practices. These partnerships could focus on creating and scaling AI technologies that minimize environmental impact, such as optimizing energy efficiency and reducing resource consumption. By fostering collaboration between tech companies, academic institutions, and environmental organizations, New York can accelerate the development of AI solutions that contribute positively to climate goals.
Encourage the promotion of AI tools that focus on eco-friendly solutions. New York could lead the way by incentivizing industries to measure the comprehensive climate cost of generative AI. Such measurement practices could allow companies and other stakeholders to identify and mitigate costs throughout the lifecycle.
Stay tuned as we tackle common misconceptions about AI’s role in achieving climate goals and sustainable in coming posts.