AI and Sustainability: Code, Compute, Conserve
Tech Huddle Co-Hosted by IIM Nagpur and ORF IIM Nagpur,
Date: 4 September 2025 | Time: 3.30 – 6.30 pm | Venue: CR 09, Ground Floor, South Academic Block
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is fast emerging as a transformative force across economies, societies, and governance systems. Its applications are projected to add US$ 15.7 trillion to the global GDP by 2030. For India, AI is not just a driver of productivity gains; it is also a strategic lever for achieving its ambition of becoming a US$26-trillion economy by 2047, while advancing social equity and sustainable development. AI is already impacting domains as diverse as health, agriculture, education, financial inclusion, and smart cities, and its adoption is expected to witness rapid growth, with generative AI playing an increasingly significant role.
As AI evolves, however, there are growing concerns about its long-term environmental impact and the massive carbon footprints of data centres. The development of advanced AI models demands vast computational resources, putting strain on energy systems and water reserves, and deepening vulnerabilities in regions that already face resource constraints.
Against this backdrop, the Tech Huddle co-hosted by the Observer Research Foundation (ORF) and IIM Nagpur will bring together tech entrepreneurs, industry leaders, civil society representatives, and researchers to: (a) Examine AI’s application across various sectors; and (b) Explore how to build more resource-efficient and resilient AI ecosystems. By creating a dialogue between diverse stakeholders, the Huddle aims to produce actionable strategies for aligning AI development with long-term societal and economic priorities.
Panel 1 | AI for Sustainability: Powering Development and Growth
AI is increasingly being deployed across diverse sectors, from improving healthcare diagnostics and advancing precision agriculture to strengthening education systems, enhancing climate adaptation, and supporting more effective governance. These uses of AI are helping communities, governments, and industries address persistent challenges, expand access, and build resilience. Yet, scaling such solutions responsibly requires supportive ecosystems, innovative financing, and forward-looking policies that prioritize equity and inclusion alongside efficiency and growth.
Driving Questions
- How can innovation ecosystems be strengthened to support AI-driven solutions?
- What opportunities do AI and digital tools create for sustainable resource management?
- What policies are essential to incentivize responsible innovation in key development sectors such as healthcare, education, agriculture, and clean energy generation?
Panel 2 | The Sustainability of AI: Towards Resource-Efficient and Resilient Systems
As AI capabilities expand, so too do their environmental and resource footprints. The rapid escalation in computational power requirements is driving unprecedented demand for electricity, water, and infrastructure. Without proactive measures, the growth of AI could lead to extreme stress on energy and water systems, particularly in resource-constrained regions. It is imperative to minimize these adverse impacts by exploring advances in green computing, leveraging renewable-powered data centres, and mainstreaming responsible design practices. A clear balance must be maintained between AI innovation on the one hand, and climate commitments, circular economy principles, and long-term environmental stewardship on the other.
Driving Questions
- What best practices can balance AI performance with environmental responsibility?
- How can we work towards measuring and tracking AI’s carbon footprint across its full lifecycle?
- How can policymakers, technologists, and environmental experts collaborate to promote the sustainability of AI as a technology?