The European Union’s recently published EU AI Act is a milestone in AI governance. It is the first binding regulation on AI globally to address the negative impacts of AI. A few member representatives on the recently formed Green AI Committee share their thoughts on the publication of this Act and what it can mean for greening AI:
To Sanjay Podder, Managing Director at Accenture, Chairperson of the Green Software Foundation, and Co-Chair of the Green AI Committee, the EU AI Act missed an opportunity to fully tackle AI’s environmental impacts. While article 40 can potentially reduce AI’s resource consumption, it falls short of the ambitious goals initially outlined by the Parliament. The focus on standards rather than mandatory requirements and the absence of clear enforcement mechanisms raises concerns about the effectiveness of this approach.
He wrote in a post in the Green Software newsletter that the Act could have been a great opportunity to create incentives for reducing the software’s environmental footprint or fostering AI-powered environmental solutions. For a truly green AI future, he wrote, “it is crucial to have clear incentives and robust standards that not only minimize environmental impact but also encourage innovation in sustainable AI solutions.”
In the final version of the act, key environmental provisions were watered down and became mostly voluntary rather than mandatory. “This may require a heavy reliance on standardization bodies, which are often influenced by industry players, he added.
Open-Source AI
The Act also offers exemptions for open-source AI systems, which could free them from some strict controls placed on high-risk categories. While the intent is good, the tech industry hasn’t agreed on a clear definition of open-source AI yet. “Without consensus, these exemptions could fail to protect consumers or limit innovation by deviating from open-source principles.”
Further, the Act primarily focuses on ensuring that AI systems are trustworthy, and ethical, and that they respect fundamental rights. While environmental sustainability is not explicitly emphasized as a core objective of the Act, it is indirectly addressed through risk assessments, alignment with broader EU sustainability goals, and the promotion of responsible AI practices.
However, the industry has praised the overall spirit and direction of the Act. The Act promotes collaboration between regulators, companies, and civil society to set standards for AI development. The EU AI Act is seen as a major step forward in AI governance and a legislative step that positions Europe as a leader in creating sustainable and human-centric AI solutions. Yet, they point out how it focuses on encouraging, rather than mandating environmental sustainability in AI.
The Green Software Foundation feels it can now play a significant part in advocating for incorporating environmental sustainability into these standards, ensuring that green principles become an integral part of AI compliance frameworks.
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