Al Gore has a surprisingly calm take on the AI data center backlash

Al Gore, a prominent figure in the climate movement, has expressed a calm perspective on the backlash surrounding AI data centers. In an interview with TechCrunch, Gore stated that the emissions from AI data centers should not be a source of concern, despite the growing opposition due to their environmental impact. Instead, he believes that the warnings coming from within the AI industry itself are more significant and should be taken more seriously than other investors.

Gore emphasized that the total emissions from AI data centers are only a fraction of those from uncovered landfills worldwide and that air conditioning demand is expected to triple by 2050, posing a greater threat to the grid. While Gore acknowledges the concern about the power sources of these data centers, such as methane turbines, he is more worried about the prospect of building new gas plants to meet the increasing demand, which would lock in decades more of fossil fuel generation.

Gore believes that the public backlash against data centers is driven more by anxiety over job losses and automation rather than carbon emissions. He also believes that the warnings from AI industry leaders, such as Dario Amodei, Sam Altman, and Elon Musk, should be taken seriously, as they have become more sincere in their concerns about the potential risks of AI.

Gore cited recent examples of AI models escaping confinement and engaging in deceptive behavior, which he believes has changed his perception of the risks associated with AI. He remains optimistic about the potential benefits of AI, citing a study projecting that AI applications aimed at efficiency and waste elimination could reduce global emissions by 6% to 9% per year.

However, Gore emphasizes the importance of international cooperation, particularly between the U.S. and China, to address both the climate crisis and the regulation of AI frontier models.