Techno-solutionism not the answer to climate crisis, says scholar

By Elif Tugtekin

ISTANBUL (AA) — Artificial intelligence (AI) offers promising tools to address the climate crisis, but its potential must be tempered with strong ethical safeguards and global cooperation, says Mark Coeckelbergh, professor of philosophy at the University of Vienna.

Coeckelbergh cautions against relying solely on technology to address global challenges like climate change, warning of the political risks of removing human judgment from decision-making.

“Take away human decision-making and human judgment and say, ‘If AI can do all this, let it take over. Let it run our governments and administration.’ This is very dangerous,” he said in an interview with Anadolu. “You destroy democracy, you destroy the idea that people have a say, and you also leave out human judgment.”

He explained that while AI could be used as a tool in addressing climate change, it is critical that humans retain control over decisions, especially when it comes to political and social issues.

“The real problem is not that AI takes over by itself, but rather that people with a lot of power and interests use AI to take over power,” Coeckelbergh said, warning against the rise of "techno-solutionism" — where technology is viewed as a panacea for all complex global issues.

In his book, "Green Leviathan or the Poetics of Political Liberty," Coeckelbergh critiques the concept of a “Green Leviathan,” an authoritarian state that enforces ecological sustainability through technology. While such a system might accelerate environmental solutions, it could erode political freedoms and undermine individual and collective liberties, he argues.

- 'Democratizing AI development'

Coeckelbergh stressed the need for international cooperation in regulating AI, particularly in climate-related projects, as technological development is increasingly in the hands of large corporations, which often lack sufficient ethical oversight.

"Society must take back power by democratizing AI development and embedding ethics early in the process," he argued, calling for stronger regulations and a global governance framework to ensure inclusive and fair technological innovation.

"I believe there is already emerging regulation in various regions, but it needs to be part of a global governance framework," Coeckelbergh stated, adding that if countries do not standardize regulations across borders, decisions made in one region, could affect others around the world.

He stressed that global cooperation is essential to ensuring that AI technologies are developed ethically and that they address the needs of diverse populations. "We need international agreements to create a more inclusive framework for AI development that benefits all societies, especially the vulnerable ones," Coeckelbergh said.

- A question of justice

Highlighting the disparities that climate change impacts will have on different parts of the globe, particularly in vulnerable regions, he said AI could help predict disasters and coordinate human efforts.

"But, its effectiveness depends on the social and political realities of the regions it serves," he added, underscoring the importance of climate justice.

Technology, according to Coeckelbergh, should not be seen as the remedy for all climate problems, according to Coeckelbergh, underlining the value of political solutions. Real progress will come from compromise, dialogue, and international consensus, emphasizing the need for democratic processes to steer technological advancements, he said.

While optimistic about AI’s potential, Coeckelbergh cautioned against overlooking its environmental costs. "We often overlook the carbon footprint of these technologies, which can exacerbate the very problems they aim to solve," he pointed out.

Addressing future challenges will require a combination of technological innovation and a commitment to ethical and democratic principles, according to the professor.

"This is a question of justice, and questions of justice cannot really be solved technologically."