In 20 years will AI have actually had a net positive impact on the environment?

Scott CattoOct 3, 2026

There's (understandably) a lot of concern about the negative environmental impacts from AI, but I don't see much conversation about what it's unlocking for clean energy. Without the massive and price ineslatic demand for elctricty from the AI build out, there wouldn't be the same momentum or pathway for clean energy sources like nuclear. So if over the next few decades nuclear (and things like next gen gas turbines) become a significant, or even dominant, source of US power, then the net impact on the environment from AI might actally be positive.