New paper: The Fallacy of Sustainable Generative AI: Limitations in EU Environmental Regulation of Data Centres and Paths Forward
Hi everyone, I have a new paper I wanted to share with folks. We show how EU laws are not well equipped to curb the carbon footprint AI leaves behind. Quite the opposite is true. We run the risk of worsening the climate impact of data centres if we don't take action. Here is the new paper: The Fallacy of Sustainable Generative AI: Limitations in EU Environmental Regulation of Data Centres and Paths Forward <https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=6641359> Here is also a short version <https://www.oii.ox.ac.uk/news-events/the-efficiency-paradox-in-eu-data-centre-policy/> of the paper. I hope the paper will be of interest for folks. Comments are very welcome! Speak soon, Sandra
Hi Sandra, You may be interested in my recent policy exercise to position this paradox and related challenges. I'd be curious to hear if (and how) the EU responds to your critique, In solidarity, Robert On Wednesday, May 20, 2026 at 08:03:29 p.m. GMT+10, Sandra Wachter via Air-L <air-l@listserv.aoir.org> wrote: Hi everyone, I have a new paper I wanted to share with folks. We show how EU laws are not well equipped to curb thecarbon footprint AI leaves behind. Quite the opposite is true. We run the riskof worsening the climate impact of data centres if we don't take action. Here is the new paper: The Fallacyof Sustainable Generative AI: Limitations in EU Environmental Regulation ofData Centres and Paths Forward Here is also a shortversion of the paper. I hope the paper will be of interest for folks. Comments arevery welcome! Speak soon, Sandra On Wednesday, May 20, 2026 at 08:03:29 p.m. GMT+10, Sandra Wachter via Air-L <air-l@listserv.aoir.org> wrote: Hi everyone, I have a new paper I wanted to share with folks. We show how EU laws are not well equipped to curb thecarbon footprint AI leaves behind. Quite the opposite is true. We run the riskof worsening the climate impact of data centres if we don't take action. Here is the new paper: The Fallacyof Sustainable Generative AI: Limitations in EU Environmental Regulation ofData Centres and Paths Forward Here is also a shortversion of the paper. I hope the paper will be of interest for folks. Comments arevery welcome! Speak soon, Sandra
participants (2)
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Robert Rattle -
Sandra Wachter