Welcome to the AI, Energy and Climate podcast, a special series from the DSR Network hosted by David Sandalow, Inaugural Fellow at Columbia University’s Center on Global Energy Policy. Join us as we talk with leading experts to explore the intersection between these critical issues that will impact the future of each and every one of us.
This podcast is sponsored in part by NEDO, New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization, a national research and development agency in Japan.
For more information about the issues discussed in this show, please go to: https://www.icef.go.jp/roadmap/ and transitiondigital.org/ai-climate-roadmap.
📻 Siste episoder av AI, Energy and Climate Podcast
Her er de nyeste episodene tilgjengelige via RSS-feeden:
Laster episoder...
📱 Slik abonnerer du på AI, Energy and Climate Podcast
A Net-Positive AI Energy Framework: Ginelle Greene-Dewasmes (00:34:44)
AI’s huge energy needs are getting enormous media attention. AI’s potential to make energy more secure, clean and affordable is getting less attention. What would it take for AI’s impact on the energy system to be net-positive? What would that mean exactly? What examples help show the potential for AI to make positive contributions to the energy system? Join host David Sandalow as he discusses these topics and a new report called From Paradox to Progress: A Net-Positive AI Energy Framework with one of the report’s lead authors -- Ginelle Greene-Dewasmes, AI and Energy Lead at the World Economic Forum.
https://www.weforum.org/publications/from-paradox-to-progress-a-net-positive-ai-energy-framework/
https://icef.go.jp/wp-content/themes/icef_new/pdf/roadmap/icef2025_roadmap.pdf
https://icef.go.jp/wp-content/themes/icef_new/pdf/roadmap/icef2024_roadmap_AI-Climate-Second-Edition.pdf
This material is distributed by TRG Advisory Services, LLC on behalf of the Embassy of the United Arab Emirates in the U.S.. Additional information is available at the Department of Justice, Washington, DC.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Data Center Water Use: Alexis Abramson, Julio Friedmann and Angela Yuan (00:48:47)
How significant is data center water use? Is it tiny in relation to other sectors, significant in some water-stressed regions, or both? Can new liquid-based cooling technologies which (perhaps counter-intuitively) need less water than traditional air-based cooling technologies help? Join host David Sandalow as he discusses these topics and more with three coauthors of the new Sustainable Data Centers Roadmap -- Alexis Abramson (Dean of the Columbia Climate School), Julio Friedmann (Chief Scientist at Carbon Direct) and Angela Yuan (a master's degree candidate at the University of Cambridge).
ICEF Sustainable Data Centers Roadmap -- icef.go.jp/roadmap
This material is distributed by TRG Advisory Services, LLC on behalf of the Embassy of the United Arab Emirates in the U.S.. Additional information is available at the Department of Justice, Washington, DC.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Amory Lovins: Reflections of an AI Skeptic (00:49:38)
Amory Lovins has been a leading thinker on energy policy for more than 50 years. Several months ago he wrote an article with the provocative title "Artificial Intelligence Meets Natural Stupidity." As the title suggests, Lovins is skeptical about AI in a number of respects – in particular about the electricity it will require. Listen as host David Sandalow talks with Lovins about AI power demand forecasts, the role of natural gas and renewables, AI in education, a proposal to require all payments to electric utilities by new large loads such as data centers to be bonded or insured, and more.\
Amory Lovins, Artificial Intelligence Meets Natural Stupidity (May 2025), https://integrative-design-for-radical-energy-efficiency.stanford.edu/sites/extreme_energy_efficiency/files/media/file/data-centersaiel-dr-16-10-may-2025.pdf
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jennifer Granholm: Reflections of an AI Optimist (00:38:53)
After a pause over the summer, we’re restarting the AI, Energy and Climate Podcast with a conversation between Jennifer Granholm, former U.S. Secretary of Energy and Governor of Michigan, and host David Sandalow. Sec. Granholm explains why she’s an “AI optimist,” sounds several notes of caution on AI and describes where she agrees and disagrees with Trump administration policies.
AI for Climate Change Mitigation Roadmap -- https://www.icef.go.jp/roadmap and transitiondigital.org/ai-climate-roadmap.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Nick Chaset: Octopus Energy, Grid Flexibility and Data Center Load Growth (00:32:47)
Octopus Energy, a global technology and energy company, was founded in the UK 10 years ago with the goal of helping to transform electric utilities. It created Kraken, a cloud-based platform that helps utilities and their customers manage data from smart meters, electric vehicles, distributed energy resources and more. Join host David Sandalow as he talks with Nick Chaset, CEO of Octopus Energy US, about Octopus, Kraken, AI in the power sector, and strategies for combining grid flexibility and data center load growth.
AI for Climate Change Mitigation Roadmap -- https://www.icef.go.jp/roadmap and transitiondigital.org/ai-climate-roadmap.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Damilola Ogunbiyi: AI, Energy Access and the Digital Divide (00:28:21)
More than a billion people in the world live in energy poverty, with little or no access to electricity. Can AI help put an end to energy poverty -- or could it make the problem worse? Is there a risk of a new digital divide, with the US, China and Europe integrating AI into their economies while many nations in the Global South fall behind? Join host David Sandalow as he discusses these questions and more with Damilola Ogunbiyi, a top UN official and CEO of Sustainable Energy for All.
AI for Climate Change Mitigation Roadmap -- https://www.icef.go.jp/roadmap and transitiondigital.org/ai-climate-roadmap.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Arun Majumdar: AI, Energy and Education (00:31:18)
Arun Majumdar is the inaugural Dean of the Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability at Stanford University and previously served as Founding Director of the Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E) and Chair of the Secretary's Advisory Board at the US Department of Energy. He is one of the United States' top energy experts and an accomplished institutional leader. Join host David Sandalow as he talks with Dean Majumdar about the AI work underway at the Doerr School, power demand for AI, AI's potential impacts on climate change mitigation, teaching in the AI era, and much more.
The AI, Energy and Climate Podcast is a special series from the DSR Network sponsored by NEDO and hosted by David Sandalow, Inaugural Fellow at Columbia University’s Center on Global Energy Policy.
AI for Climate Change Mitigation Roadmap -- https://www.icef.go.jp/roadmap and transitiondigital.org/ai-climate-roadmap.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jensen Huang: The Power of Intelligence Infrastructure (00:46:08)
Thirty-two years after Jensen Huang founded NVIDIA, the company is at the center of the AI revolution and the third-most valuable company in the world. Jensen -- as he is known throughout his company and the IT industry -- is shaping the future of AI and countless applications of AI. In this episode, Jensen talks with host David Sandalow about how AI can help solve energy and climate problems, AI's power consumption, the intelligence infrastructure of the future, and more.
The AI, Energy and Climate Podcast is a special series from the DSR Network sponsored by NEDO and hosted by David Sandalow, Inaugural Fellow at Columbia University’s Center on Global Energy Policy.
AI for Climate Change Mitigation Roadmap -- https://www.icef.go.jp/roadmap and transitiondigital.org/ai-climate-roadmap.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Taylor Sparks and Colin McCormick: AI for Materials Innovation Part 2 (00:32:56)
Can AI help discover new materials, leading to dramatic breakthroughs in clean energy technologies? In Episode #1 of our deep dive on this topic, host David Sandalow explored the potential for breakthroughs with Taylor Sparks, a professor at the University of Utah and host of the Materialism Podcast, and Colin McCormick, Principal Scientist at Carbon Direct, a professor at Georgetown University and author of the materials innovation chapter in the Artificial Intelligence for Climate Change Mitigation Roadmap (Second Edition). In this episode, David, Taylor and Colin discuss the barriers that must be overcome to realize that potential as well as possible risks. The episode ends with some interesting book recommendations by Taylor and Colin!
The AI, Energy and Climate Podcast is a special series from the DSR Network sponsored by NEDO and hosted by David Sandalow, Inaugural Fellow at Columbia University’s Center on Global Energy Policy.
AI for Climate Change Mitigation Roadmap -- https://www.icef.go.jp/roadmap and transitiondigital.org/ai-climate-roadmap.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Taylor Sparks and Colin McCormick: AI for Materials Innovation Part 1 (00:37:32)
What could make dramatic, transformational changes in the fight against climate change? One answer -- breakthroughs in the materials sciences that result in even better and cheaper clean energy technologies. Can artificial intelligence tools help produce such breakthroughs? Join host David Sandalow for a deep dive into this topic with Taylor Sparks, a professor at the University of Utah and host of the Materialism Podcast, and Colin McCormick, Principal Scientist at Carbon Direct, a professor at Georgetown University and author of the materials innovation chapter in the Artificial Intelligence for Climate Change Mitigation Roadmap (Second Edition).
The AI, Energy and Climate Podcast is a special series from the DSR Network sponsored by NEDO and hosted by David Sandalow, Inaugural Fellow at Columbia University’s Center on Global Energy Policy.
AI for Climate Change Mitigation Roadmap -- https://www.icef.go.jp/roadmap and transitiondigital.org/ai-climate-roadmap.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Laura Cozzi: IEA's Energy and AI Report (00:32:51)
On April 10, the International Energy Agency released a major report on energy and AI. The report explores topics including electricity demand for AI, how AI is being used in the energy sector, AI’s role in accelerating energy innovation, the security implications of AI and greenhouse gas emissions from AI. Join host David Sandalow in conversation with Laura Cozzi, IEA's Director for Sustainability, Technology and Outlooks, who designed and directed this landmark report.
The AI, Energy and Climate Podcast is a special series from the DSR Network sponsored by NEDO and hosted by David Sandalow, Inaugural Fellow at Columbia University’s Center on Global Energy Policy.
AI for Climate Change Mitigation Roadmap -- https://www.icef.go.jp/roadmap and transitiondigital.org/ai-climate-roadmap.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Alp Kucukelbir: AI in Industry, Education and More (00:39:27)
Alp Kucukelbir serves as Chief Scientist at Fero Labs, teaches two courses on AI and climate change at Columbia University, and wrote several chapters in the AI for Climate Change Mitigation Roadmap (Second Edition). Join host David Sandalow in a wide-ranging conversation with Dr. Kucukelbir as they discuss the use of AI in advanced manufacturing, educating students in the AI era, how to explain complex AI topics, and more.
The AI, Energy and Climate Podcast is a special series from the DSR Network sponsored by NEDO and hosted by David Sandalow, Inaugural Fellow at Columbia University’s Center on Global Energy Policy.
AI for Climate Change Mitigation Roadmap -- https://www.icef.go.jp/roadmap and transitiondigital.org/ai-climate-roadmap.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Cynthia Rosenzweig and Kevin Karl: The Food System, AI and Climate Change (00:39:46)
The food system is responsible for almost a third of global greenhouse gas emissions. At the same time, climate change is dramatically affecting the food system. Can AI tools help? Or do they create risks and problems? Join David Sandalow as he talks about these issues with Cynthia Rosenzweig, winner of the 2022 World Food Prize, and Kevin Karl, lead author of the food system chapter in the ICEF AI for Climate Change Mitigation Roadmap (Second Edition).
Chapter 4, Food Systems -- ICEF Artificial Intelligence for Climate Mitigation Roadmap (Second Edition) (November 2024) -- https://www.icef.go.jp/wp-content/themes/icef_new/pdf/roadmap/2024/04_ICEF2.0%20Food%20Systems_stand%20alone.pdf
The AI, Energy and Climate Podcast is a special series from the DSR Network sponsored by NEDO and hosted by David Sandalow, Inaugural Fellow at Columbia University’s Center on Global Energy Policy.
AI for Climate Change Mitigation Roadmap -- https://www.icef.go.jp/roadmap and transitiondigital.org/ai-climate-roadmap.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Chris James Part 2: AI, Power Supplies and Innovation (00:31:19)
Join host David Sandalow and Chris James, CEO and Founder of Engine No. 1, as they discuss how to supply the rapidly growing demand for electric power in the United States, Engine No. 1's recent deals with Chevron and Crusoe Energy, and the role of AI in promoting innovation in energy technologies.
The AI, Energy and Climate Podcast is a special series from the DSR Network sponsored by NEDO and hosted by David Sandalow, Inaugural Fellow at Columbia University’s Center on Global Energy Policy.
AI for Climate Change Mitigation Roadmap -- https://www.icef.go.jp/roadmap and transitiondigital.org/ai-climate-roadmap.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Chris James Part 1: AI Power Demand (00:35:17)
What forces are shaping the explosive growth in demand for electric power for AI? Do revenue projections for AI justify the massive scale of capital investment in data centers and electric power supplies? What can we learn from the boom-and-bust cycle in other new technologies? Join host David Sandalow as he discusses these and other topics in the first episode of a two-part conversation with Chris James, CEO and Founder of Engine No. 1, who brings more than 30 years experience investing in semiconductors and other technologies to this timely discussion.
The AI, Energy and Climate Podcast is a special series from the DSR Network sponsored by NEDO and hosted by David Sandalow, Inaugural Fellow at Columbia University’s Center on Global Energy Policy.
AI for Climate Change Mitigation Roadmap -- https://www.icef.go.jp/roadmap and transitiondigital.org/ai-climate-roadmap.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Anne Bouverot: The Paris AI Action Summit and Beyond (00:30:08)
Special Envoy Anne Bouverot was in charge of organizing last month's AI Action Summit in Paris for French President Emmanuel Macron. Several dozen heads of state, many prominent business leaders and thousands of people from around the world attended. Join host David Sandalow in a discussion with Special Envoy Bouverot about the AI Action Summit's objectives and outcomes, the growing focus on AI innovation over AI safety, and increasing investment in AI infrastructure in Europe
The AI, Energy and Climate Podcast is a special series from the DSR Network sponsored by NEDO and hosted by David Sandalow, Inaugural Fellow at Columbia University’s Center on Global Energy Policy.
AI for Climate Change Mitigation Roadmap -- https://www.icef.go.jp/roadmap and transitiondigital.org/ai-climate-roadmap.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Dan Loehr: Can LLM’s Help in the Fight Against Climate Change? (00:30:57)
Large language models are some of the most rapidly-adopted products in human history and are transforming workflows, education and much more. Can LLMs help in the fight against climate change? What risks do they create for the climate change challenge? Georgetown Professor Dan Loehr joins David Sandalow to discuss the role that LLMs can play in reducing emissions and helping adapt to climate change.
AI, Energy and Climate is a special series from the DSR Network sponsored by NEDO and hosted by David Sandalow, Inaugural Fellow at Columbia University’s Center on Global Energy Policy.
AI for Climate Change Mitigation Roadmap -- https://www.icef.go.jp/roadmap and transitiondigital.org/ai-climate-roadmap.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Bill Brown: Are Data Centers the Killer App for Clean Tech? (00:39:56)
Bill Brown started two clean tech unicorns -- private companies worth more than $1 billion. Today he thinks data centers could be the "killer app" for cleantech, driving demand for clean energy. He also believes that managing data centers like power plants can introduce big new efficiencies. Join host David Sandalow as he and Brown discuss these and other ideas at the intersection of data centers and clean tech.
AI, Energy and Climate is a special series from the DSR Network sponsored by NEDO and hosted by David Sandalow, Inaugural Fellow at Columbia University’s Center on Global Energy Policy.
AI for Climate Change Mitigation Roadmap -- https://www.icef.go.jp/roadmap and transitiondigital.org/ai-climate-roadmap.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Bernhard Lorentz and Johannes Truby: AI's Energy and Environmental Footprint (00:35:51)
AI is the hot topic at this year's CERAWeek, where more than 10,000 people are gathering for one of the largest energy conferences of the year. A recent report by the Deloitte Center for Sustainable Progress explores AI's energy and environmental footprint in detail, with estimates of AI's impact today as well as projections to 2030 and 2050. Many listeners may be surprised by the findings. Join host David Sandalow as he talks with two of the lead authors of that report — Bernhard Lorentz and Johannes Truby — about their report and its implications.
AI, Energy and Climate is a special series from the DSR Network sponsored by NEDO and hosted by David Sandalow, Inaugural Fellow at Columbia University’s Center on Global Energy Policy.
AI for Climate Change Mitigation Roadmap -- https://www.icef.go.jp/roadmap and transitiondigital.org/ai-climate-roadmap.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Raj Kapoor: Climate Tech Investing and AI (00:43:53)
Raj Kapoor is a serial entrepreneur and co-founder of Climactic, a seed venture firm focused on climate tech. Join host David Sandalow as he and Kapoor discuss how AI can accelerate the deployment of clean energy technologies, strengthen climate resilience strategies, support climate tech investing and more.
AI, Energy and Climate is a special series from the DSR Network sponsored by NEDO and hosted by David Sandalow, Inaugural Fellow at Columbia University’s Center on Global Energy Policy.
AI for Climate Change Mitigation Roadmap -- https://www.icef.go.jp/roadmap and transitiondigital.org/ai-climate-roadmap.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Julio Friedmann on AI, Climate Change and Carbon Capture (00:38:21)
Julio Friedmann -- the "Carbon Wrangler" -- is Chief Scientist at Carbon Direct and one of the world's leading experts on carbon capture and decarbonization more broadly. Host David Sandalow talks with Friedmann about ways AI can help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and carbon capture's role in the fight against climate change.
AI, Energy and Climate is a special series from the DSR Network sponsored by NEDO and hosted by David Sandalow, Inaugural Fellow at Columbia University’s Center on Global Energy Policy.
AI for Climate Change Mitigation Roadmap -- https://www.icef.go.jp/roadmap and transitiondigital.org/ai-climate-roadmap.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Reed Hundt on AI and Green Capital (00:47:46)
Reed Hundt helped shape the modern Internet as Chair of the Federal Communications Commission in the 1990s. He served as a board member at Intel for many years and founded the Coalition for Green Capital. Host David Sandalow talks with Reed Hundt about lessons from the dawn of the Internet era, the future of the US semiconductor industry, changes needed to decarbonize the global economy, and more.
AI, Energy and Climate is a special series from the DSR Network sponsored by NEDO and hosted by David Sandalow, Inaugural Fellow at Columbia University’s Center on Global Energy Policy.
AI for Climate Change Mitigation Roadmap -- https://www.icef.go.jp/roadmap and transitiondigital.org/ai-climate-roadmap.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Michael Liebreich on AI, Data Centers and Energy: Past, Present and Future (00:54:11)
How much electric power will AI need in the years ahead? How can that demand be met cheaply and sustainably? What can we learn from projections of data center power demand over the past several decades? How can AI contribute to meeting clean energy goals? Join host David Sandalow in a lively conversation with Michael Liebreich, founder of New Energy Finance, on these topics and more.
AI, Energy and Climate is a special series from the DSR Network sponsored by NEDO and hosted by David Sandalow, Inaugural Fellow at Columbia University’s Center on Global Energy Policy.
AI for Climate Change Mitigation Roadmap -- https://www.icef.go.jp/roadmap and transitiondigital.org/ai-climate-roadmap.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Harnessing AI to Fight Climate Change (00:48:08)
Welcome to the AI, Energy and Climate Podcast! On the inaugural episode of this new series, host David Sandalow is joined by Colin McCormick and Michal Nachmany. We explore the many ways that AI can help in the fight against climate change, from accelerating innovation in clean energy technologies to speeding the deployment of renewables to supporting decision making on climate policy and more. We explore barriers to using AI for these purposes, discuss risks that AI can create and offer recommendations for next steps.
AI, Energy and Climate is a special series from the DSR Network sponsored by NEDO and hosted by David Sandalow, Inaugural Fellow at Columbia University’s Center on Global Energy Policy.
AI for Climate Change Mitigation Roadmap -- https://www.icef.go.jp/roadmap and transitiondigital.org/ai-climate-roadmap.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
