AI Impacts on Long-term Climate Targets (Lecture by Prof. WILSON)

Charlie Wilson examines how artificial intelligence affects energy transitions and carbon emissions, from data centres to the wider economy. The talk evaluates evidence behind competing claims, identifies optimism bias in assessments extending beyond data-centre electricity use, and presents research quantifying AI’s effects on global emissions pathways to 2050. It considers how aligning AI development with climate action changes the feasibility and cost of meeting long-term climate targets. Wilson is Professor at the Environmental Change Institute, University of Oxford. Takeshi Kuramochi provides commentary; Naoko Shimazu moderates.