New Delhi: Generative artificial intelligence (AI) which includes large language models like OpenAI’s ChatGPT, and social media can undermine efforts to address climate change, informed the researchers in a new forum article published in the journal Global Environmental Politics, on Friday.
Social Media and AI are known to contribute to the dissemination of false and biased information which can have a reverberating impact on the needful actions to be taken on climate change.
Researchers from the University of British Colombia (UBC) are of the opinion that it is a common conception that AI, social media, and other tech products and platforms are either neutral or potentially net positive in their impact on climate change action. They can further reduce human capacities for creative thinking and problem-solving – crucial for tackling climate change. They also added, the platforms also work to take away attention from pressing global issues and foster feelings of hopelessness.
Dr Hamish van der Ven, Assistant Professor of sustainable business management of natural resources of UBC stated, “These technologies are influencing human behaviour and societal dynamics, shaping attitudes and responses to climate change.”
He continued: “AI and social technologies can lessen our focus on the climate crisis, as they always offer “new, ever-changing content.”
“Recurrent exposure to negative news on social media may also erode optimism and increase feelings of hopelessness. All this could prevent us from organising or taking collective action on climate change,” he stated.
Calling for a careful review of the generative AI, he further noted: “Increased dependence on these technologies may decrease the “capacity for creativity and forward-thinking solution”.
(IANS)
