HEAT’s Dietram Oppelt holds AI session at Harvard class

Dietram Oppelt, who serves as both the Managing Director of HEAT and the Chair of the UNFCCC Technology Executive Committee, was invited to speak at Harvard Extension School's AI for Good series.

Oppelt's presentation delved into how prominent AI Large Language Models align and differ when forecasting climate impact, and how these models simultaneously predict AI's own net effect on the climate. Analysis of four tested leading models revealed that three anticipate AI's climate benefits will exceed its drawbacks. These potential negative aspects encompass AI's energy demands, its potential to drive emission-heavy processes like accelerated fossil fuel extraction, and its influence on public discourse via algorithm control.

Consequently, Oppelt underscored the vital need for stringent governance frameworks for AI in the context of climate change to guarantee a net positive outcome. AI offers considerable promise in the fight against climate change, exemplified by its ability to optimize renewable energy sources such as windmills, catalyse climate technology breakthroughs like advanced battery materials, and bolster resilience through more accurate forecasting and early warning systems.

"Sharing insights on AI's pivotal role in advancing climate action at the policy level was an absolute pleasure," commented Dietram Oppelt after the event. "The discussions and questions during the session truly highlighted the dedication and curiosity of everyone involved." Affiliated with the GFA GROUP, HEAT GmbH provides advice to accelerate the global shift towards net-zero emissions and increasing resilience for the growing impact of climate change.