Navigating Environmentalism and AI

We are excited to share and discuss our report detailing the intersection of artificial intelligence with government and non-profit environmental work – Nuance and North Stars: Navigating AI and Environmentalism. This qualitative research explores how algorithmic technologies under the AI umbrella are already being applied to environmental issues, how organizations envision their future use, the barriers preventing effective implementation, recommendations for overcoming those barriers, and the environmental and social tradeoffs of AI deployment. Responses varied widely, many scientists highlighted decades of impactful work with these tools and excitement about the discoveries that evolving algorithmic capabilities could accelerate. At the same time, environmental policy and conservation professionals offered insights related to abuses of their data and poorly understood environmental externalities. The swirling noise and hype of the market has clouded the picture. Bucketing diverse algorithmic functions under the AI marketing label has led to increasing polarization in how we view and discuss their utility, possibility, and precariousness. We hope that this report provides a nuanced perspective on a complex topic to help readers identify their own north stars and chart a course to achieving them.