Student protesters disrupt AI and climate panel at Climate Week NYC
Demonstrators accused technology corporations and data centres of contributing to climate damage and challenged what activists described as corporate "greenwashing"
Student protesters disrupted a panel discussion on artificial intelligence and climate change during Climate Week NYC on 23 September, directly confronting Josh Parker, NVIDIA's head of sustainability, as he discussed AI's environmental footprint and potential benefits.
Demonstrators accused technology corporations and data centres of contributing to climate damage and challenged what activists described as corporate "greenwashing", says Times of India.
The Sunrise Movement said the protest was intended to challenge corporate "greenwashing" and criticised Climate Week organisers for "inviting AI executives to speak on climate issues".
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During the disruption, one protester questioned NVIDIA's sustainability claims, citing an emissions figure of 15 million tonnes of carbon dioxide. Protesters also raised concerns about the use of AI-related technology in Israel.
The Sunrise Movement said young activists had been "confronting technology executives throughout the week".
The confrontation comes amid wider concerns from environmental activists about the ecological footprint of the rapid expansion of AI. Technology companies have promoted AI as a tool that can improve energy efficiency and help address climate challenges, while activists have raised concerns about the electricity, water and emissions associated with data centre infrastructure.
Videos of the confrontation posted by the Sunrise Movement and featured by Al Jazeera English gained significant online traction.
Some social media users expressed support for the protesters.
"I absolutely adore this generation of students; even if you don't believe everything they do, you can't deny their passion, drive and intent. I'm a proud educator," one Instagram user who identified as an educator wrote.
Another Instagram user wrote: "Sometimes, brave is speaking the truth even if it scares you … So proud of them, more power to them".
"Brilliant!!! Treating environmental cost as collateral damage and then preaching sustainability about it needs to be called out," another Instagram user wrote.
