AI-driven productivity gains could enable more CO2 emissions from fossil fuels than they avoid through renewable energy improvements, a study has found.
According to the study published by Nature Portfolio, AI could provide a massive productivity boost to oil and gas extraction, completely canceling out the technology's benefits to renewable energy.
For instance, AI can help operators find oil faster, drill more efficiently and lower operating costs. Goldman Sachs Research estimates that in the US, AI could help reduce new well-drilling costs by roughly 30% and expand total recoverable oil reserves by 8% to 20%, equivalent to 10 billion to 30 billion barrels.
These efficiency gains may make fossil fuel production more profitable but will ultimately lead to higher carbon emissions.
While renewable energy companies also use AI, including to reduce downtime and optimise the electricity grid, the study finds that emissions enabled by improvements in fossil fuel production were greater than...