Artificial intelligence for climate action in developing countries: Opportunities, challenges and risks

This information note is intended to serve as an accessible introduction to the relationship between artificial intelligence (AI) and climate action. This publication aims to raise awareness among policymakers and stakeholders regarding these opportunities, challenges and risks, providing insights into how AI can be responsibly leveraged for effective climate action in developing countries.

This note highlights that AI-enabled systems can support both climate change adaptation and mitigation action, ranging from early warning systems for disasters to optimizing agri-food production and improving the efficiency of energy systems. However, the deployment of AI can also pose challenges and risks such as widening of the digital divide, data security and transparency issues, reinforcing bias including gender bias, facilitating the spread of disinformation and misinformation, and increasing energy and water consumption.