Climate Activist Sage Lenier Criticizes AI as 'Useless' and 'Unsustainable' at Web Summit

Climate Activist Challenges AI's Societal Value

At the Web Summit tech conference in Lisbon, climate activist Sage Lenier made waves by declaring that "AI has no benefit to society" 1

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. Lenier, who gained prominence for her sustainability course at UC Berkeley, criticized the tech industry's pivot to AI as environmentally destructive and economically misguided.

AI: An Existential Problem for Tech

Lenier argues that tech CEOs have created an "existential problem" for their industry by embracing AI, which she describes as a "useless" product class 2

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. This shift, she contends, has undermined the perception of tech as an essential utility, potentially jeopardizing the sector's future.

Environmental Impact of AI

The activist highlighted the significant environmental costs associated with AI development:

• Energy-intensive data centers
• Reopening of nuclear plants
• Increased emissions
• Negative impact on local communities

Lenier stated, "It is terrible for the planet. It's terrible for every community that you're running data centers in. And it's useless. I think it's just a waste of emissions" 3

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Tech Industry's Green Image Tarnished

According to Lenier, the tech industry had previously positioned itself as "clean, green and pro-future" 1

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. She noted that figures like Bill Gates had even written books on climate change. However, she argues that the pursuit of AI for increased shareholder returns has led tech companies to abandon their environmental commitments.

Broader Environmental Concerns

Lenier's critique extends beyond AI to other industries:

• Automotive: She argues against long-term car use, even electric vehicles
• Fashion: Production of 80 billion garments annually is deemed unsustainable
• Infrastructure: Predicts breakdown of food chains and power grids

Call for Circular Economy

At last year's Web Summit, Lenier urged tech leaders to embrace the circular economy, focusing on reusing and recycling rather than creating disposable products 2

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. However, she notes that major tech companies have since intensified their AI efforts, contradicting this approach.

Tech's Role in Society

While Lenier previously viewed technology as essential infrastructure, she now likens the AI boom to "fast fashion" for the tech industry 3

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. This shift in perspective underscores her concern about the sustainability of current tech trends.

Activist's Background and Future Plans

Lenier, now based in New York, founded the "Solutions for a Sustainable & Just Future" course at UC Berkeley in 2018 1

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. She has since developed a nonprofit organization and plans to launch a documentary series to further her sustainability message.