With the overarching aim to drive AI transformation of industries, the WEF’s white paper produced in collaboration with Accenture, identifies critical mitigation strategies including:
- identifying energy use reduction strategies for AI systems
- touching upon AI’s potential for the energy transition
- outlining key partnerships, frameworks and policies to support sustainable AI adoption.
Professors Jackson and Hodgkinson contributed important insights on how ‘dark data’ can compound the negative direct impacts of AI on the environment. In this white paper they show how digital decarbonisation techniques should be a key feature of responsible AI data management. Implementing these techniques can reduce ‘dark data’ that occupies server space and consumes energy often without potential to provide any additional value.
Based on their use-case, the white paper shows how for some organisations, only around 10% – 20% of data waste can be repurposed into actionable knowledge leaving the rest to be considered for responsible disposal, reducing the data carbon footprint from AI system development.
“Worldwide we’re facing a huge explosion in data creation growth and AI will be a big driver of this. Data is the cornerstone of AI; however, the data infrastructure cannot cope with this forecasted growth. Organisations must therefore look to embed digital decarbonisation in their responsible data management practices to reduce data waste”, commented Professor Hodgkinson.
Cross-industry preliminary insights showcased in the AI and Energy white paper were launched at the World Economic Forum’s Annual Meeting 2025 in Davos earlier this month (20–24 January). The 2025 Annual Meeting considered key global and regional challenges, including stimulating growth to improve living standards, responding to geopolitical shocks, and stewarding a just, inclusive energy transition. Convening leaders from government, business, and civil society, the Annual Meeting is a critical forum to reflect on the state of the world, address key global and regional challenges, and discuss priorities for the year ahead.
Professor Jackson said “Dark data holds untapped value that businesses are missing, both in optimizing operations and improving efficiency. By addressing its energy impact and leveraging actionable insights, we can turn a challenge into an opportunity for sustainable and responsible AI adoption”.