The optimism that AI can solve the climate problem is far removed from reality

Expectations that AI will solve the climate crisis are high, but an analysis suggests reality falls short. MIT Technology Review published a column to this effect in its November 9, 2026 newsletter, "The Download." The column's core point is that industries worldwide are not moving sufficiently to harness AI for greenhouse gas reduction. While companies make optimistic claims about AI's potential to address climate problems, the reality falls far short of those promises, the assessment argues.

The backdrop is the UN climate conference being held in Antalya, Turkey, where AI is a major agenda item, and host country Turkey has already urged nations to employ AI in climate action (activities such as greenhouse gas reduction).

The column was co-authored by Mary Nichols, special advisor at UCLA Law School and former chair of the California Air Resources Board, and Jeremy Tamanini, founder of Dual Citizen, a sustainability research and advisory firm. "The Download" is a weekday newsletter published by MIT Technology Review, and this edition took up the gap between AI and climate issues, offering a critical view of the AI discussions at the UN climate conference. The full column can be read on the MIT Technology Review website.