Study Claims AI Boosts Fossil Fuel Output, Raises Emissions

A recent study published in Nature by the Enabled Emissions Campaign (EEC) concludes that AI technologies are significantly improving the speed, cost and profitability of oil and gas production, which expands output that would not have happened otherwise. The authors calculate that this efficiency could add between 0.47 and 1.8 gigatons of carbon dioxide to the atmosphere each year. Will Alpine, the study’s lead author, says AI’s lack of discrimination between renewable and fossil-fuel projects acts as an economic lever favoring the latter.

The EEC, founded by former AI developers turned climate activists, receives funding from the Oil & Gas Action Network and foundations linked to left-wing billionaires, including Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors. The debate highlights tensions between technological advancement, climate policy and the role of funding sources in shaping research narratives.