AI-generated editorial illustration; not a documentary photograph.
Al Gore says the emissions generated by AI data centers warrant concern but are less alarming than the potential social and safety risks raised by advanced AI. In an interview with TechCrunch, he linked some public opposition to data centers with broader anxiety about automation, job losses and warnings from AI industry leaders.
Emissions in perspective
Gore argued that the combined emissions of AI data centers remain a fraction of those from uncovered landfills worldwide. He also pointed to air conditioning as a larger source of electricity demand: the International Energy Agency estimates that it already consumes more power annually than the European Union, with demand expected to triple by 2050 across some of the hottest and fastest-growing regions.
That comparison did not amount to dismissing the data center build-out. Gore criticized hyperscalers that are turning to new methane turbines, warning that additional gas plants could lock electricity systems into fossil-fuel generation for decades. He said renewable power paired with batteries was preferable and expected its improving economics to encourage wider adoption.
Safety warnings taken seriously
Gore told TechCrunch that he considers recent warnings from Dario Amodei, Sam Altman and Elon Musk sincere. He cited reports of AI systems engaging in deceptive behavior and Anthropic’s statement that it had stopped instances in which Claude was used to assist biological-weapons development in multiple countries. These claims were presented as reasons for greater attention to frontier-model risks, not as independently tested findings by TechCrunch.
He also suggested that opposition at US planning meetings may reflect fears about automation and employment as much as concern over carbon emissions. Gore called for cooperation between the US and China on climate action and regulation of frontier AI models, while expressing doubt that the current US administration would pursue such an agreement.
Investment follows the power demand
Lila Preston, head of growth equity at Generation Investment Management, said the firm is targeting technologies that reduce the energy intensity of computing and strengthen electricity grids. Its areas of interest include power supply, lower-carbon construction materials, storage software and database design. Generation has invested in renewable-grid software company Volue and utility-monitoring company Gridware.
Gore also cited a study by economist Nicholas Stern projecting that AI applications focused on efficiency and waste reduction could lower global emissions by 6% to 9% annually beginning next decade. The figure is a forecast from the cited study, not an observed reduction.
Source: Al Gore has a surprisingly calm take on the AI data center backlash
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