Amazon’s AI push is undermining its sustainability goals

Amazon's push towards becoming a leader in generative AI is undermining its sustainability goals. The company's recent sustainability report shows a 6% increase in its carbon footprint across 2024, largely due to the energy demands of its data center rollout and the use of AI chips, which require more electricity and cooling than traditional chips. Additionally, the construction of new data centers and increased fuel use by logistics contractors have led to a 6% increase in indirect emissions. While Amazon is a co-founder of The Climate Pledge, an initiative to reach net zero emissions by 2040, the company's own fossil fuel emissions increased by 7% in 2024, casting doubt on its commitment to sustainability. The article suggests that Amazon's planned $100 billion investment in its data center and web hosting arm, Amazon Web Services, is likely to further exacerbate the company's emissions in the coming years.