Artificial intelligence

AI: how are researchers tackling environmental challenges?

Date:
Publish on 21/01/2025
Artificial intelligence is opening up new prospects for tackling environmental and climate challenges. From climate modelling to the management of natural resources, several Inria project teams are currently working to devise sustainable solutions to environmental challenges.
ia et environnement
© Inria / Photo G.Cohen

 

In the face of the climate emergency and dwindling resources, artificial intelligence presents both a challenge and an opportunity. While its intensive development goes hand in hand with an energy impact, it also opens the way to innovative solutions for building a sustainable digital future.

But how can we design AI systems that combine performance and energy efficiency? How can we integrate environmental constraints into the design of algorithms and infrastructures to reduce their ecological footprint? At Inria, these questions are at the heart of the work of our project teams, who are exploring ways of combining ecological transition and digital innovation. Far from being limited to optimising existing processes, they are looking at structural changes that will promote a more frugal and resilient AI.

In this dossier, find out how our project teams are working every day, alongside our partners, to put AI at the service of the ecological transition.

Find out more about our research in this field

IA, big data et environnement

Big data, AI and the environment: combining science to tackle the emergency

Faced with environmental crises that are shaking up every facet of life, how can the astronomical quantities of data generated by the environmental sciences be brought together in the same quest for real answers? One emerging research strategy is interdisciplinarity.

Sustainable AI: how do you reconcile performance and respect for the environment?

Can AI be both powerful and environmentally friendly? How can technological innovation be reconciled with ecological imperatives? Is it possible to develop AI models that consume less energy without sacrificing efficiency?

© Inria / Photo L. Jacq

The AI that whispered in the ear of phytoplankton: hope for the climate?

Between in vitro experiments and computer modelling, the Biocore team is taking a close look at fast-growing micro-organisms to get a better idea of the ocean of tomorrow.

« Vorticité relative sur vorticité planétaire » dans la région du Gulf stream. L'image est un gros plan d'une simulation globale avec le modèle de circulation générale des océans ICON-O de l'Institut Max-Planck de météorologie. Océan, climat, odyssey, étienne mémin

Towards a new generation of oceanographic models

The members of the Odyssey project team are designing a new generation of oceanographic models combining deterministic physics, stochastic methods and artificial intelligence.

Photo de Claire Monteleoni prise au Jardin des Plantes

AI to combat climate change and promote environmental sustainability

Predicting climate change and anticipating extreme phenomena is a challenge, not least because of the heterogeneity of the data. Artificial intelligence and machine learning can help us to tackle the climate crisis.

Digital technology facing up to itself: how Inria is working towards a sustainable transition

As part of its ‘Digital and the Environment’ programme, Inria is committed to examining the impact of digital technology on the environment. Here's a closer look at the major actions and projects in this area.