TLDR: As Artificial Intelligence rapidly integrates into India’s education and professional sectors, concerns are rising about its significant environmental footprint. Experts advocate for ‘Green AI,’ a sustainable approach that prioritizes energy efficiency, inclusivity, and social responsibility to mitigate the ecological costs of technological advancement.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is profoundly reshaping industries, professions, and daily life across India, from conversational tools to generative systems that accomplish tasks in minutes that once required thousands of human hours. Academic institutions nationwide are actively incorporating AI into diverse fields such as engineering, law, commerce, and arts, making AI literacy an essential skill for the modern workforce. However, amidst this rapid adoption and celebration of AI’s potential, its environmental and social costs are frequently overlooked. The training of large AI models, for instance, demands immense computational power, leading to substantial energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.
Professor Prasenjit Majumder, Founder-Executive Director & Principal Scientist at GreenAI Services Pvt Ltd, highlights the critical distinction between ‘Red AI’ and ‘Green AI’. Much of the currently deployed AI technology falls under ‘Red AI,’ characterized by its high energy demands and significant environmental impact. In contrast, ‘Green AI’ is a philosophy focused on optimizing computational efficiency, reducing environmental footprint, and enhancing AI’s accessibility and inclusivity. While a small community of technologists globally has championed this sustainable approach, its adoption in India is still in its nascent stages.
Professor Majumder, an alumnus of Jadavpur University and University College Dublin, and a former researcher in AI at the Indian Statistical Institute (ISI), emphasizes his commitment to raising awareness about Green AI, nurturing local research talent, and creating meaningful employment opportunities for AI-skilled youth. He, along with Subrata Mitra, co-founded Kolkata-headquartered tech startup GreenAI Services, which aims to prove that AI can drive social progress while simultaneously protecting the environment.
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GreenAI Services is dedicated to developing innovative solutions that integrate energy-efficient AI practices, regional accessibility through tools in local languages, and human-centric design. Their mission is to demonstrate that technological innovation and environmental responsibility can coexist, with India poised to lead the global Green AI movement. The company’s philosophy underscores a commitment to intelligent and responsible technology, ensuring that AI benefits society without exacerbating environmental challenges.
