Al Gore, a former U.S. Vice President and a leading voice in the climate movement, recently spoke with TechCrunch alongside Lila Preston, head of growth equity at Generation Investment Management. The discussion focused on the environmental and societal impacts of artificial intelligence (AI), a rapidly growing field with significant implications for energy use and climate change. Gore acknowledged concerns about AI's environmental footprint, particularly emissions from data centers that power AI systems. However, he argued that these emissions are relatively small compared to other global sources of pollution, such as emissions from uncovered landfills worldwide. Gore also raised concerns about the energy demands of cooling systems used in data centers, which consume more electricity annually than the entire European Union. He warned that some large technology companies are turning to new methane-powered turbines, which could lock in long-term reliance on fossil fuels. Instead, Gore advocated for companies that use renewable energy sources and battery storage, pointing out that renewables are now often the most cost-effective energy option. He noted that public concern about data centers is often more about fears of job loss and automation than about carbon emissions. Gore recognized the recent warnings from AI industry leaders about the potential risks of the technology, including instances of AI systems behaving deceptively or being misused, such as in the development of biological weapons. He cited efforts by companies like Anthropic to prevent such misuse. Despite these concerns, Gore believes AI can play a role in reducing global emissions by improving efficiency and reducing waste. He referenced a study by economist Nicholas Stern, which highlights AI's potential to contribute to climate solutions. Lila Preston discussed the investment opportunities emerging from the expansion of AI infrastructure. She emphasized the importance of decoupling computing power from high energy use and improving the resilience of the electrical grid. Preston highlighted investments in companies like Volue and Gridware, which are working on integrating renewable energy into the grid and monitoring potential grid risks. These innovations aim to support the growing demand for AI while reducing environmental impact. Gore connected the current AI boom to a broader conversation about the transition away from fossil fuels. He noted that investments in clean energy now surpass those in fossil fuels, with solar power becoming one of the most cost-effective sources of new electricity. He ended with a lighthearted comment on the potential for limitless clean energy, referencing a friend's joke about a fusion reactor in the sky, underscoring the optimism surrounding future energy solutions.