Tech giant Google recently announced plans to establish an AI research center in Saudi Arabia, a decision that has garnered widespread attention amid the increasingly pressing issue of climate change. Despite Google's previous struggles in achieving its climate goals, this has not deterred the company from expanding its AI footprint in the Middle Eastern country heavily reliant on fossil fuels.
Image source note: The image was generated by AI, provided by the image licensing service Midjourney
According to a joint statement from Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund and Google, the new AI center will focus on developing Arabic language AI models and creating "AI applications tailored to specific Saudi needs." Notably, Saudi Aramco, the state-owned oil company, has already widely implemented AI technology in its operations, with one oil field achieving a 15% increase in production through AI.
This decision appears to contrast sharply with Google's previous environmental commitments. In 2020, Google publicly stated it would stop developing algorithms for oil and gas production and committed to halving its carbon emissions by the end of the century in 2021. In response, a Google spokesperson told E&E News that the new project does not conflict with the company's existing commitments.
However, neither Google nor the Saudi Public Investment Fund has specified the details of the "AI applications for Saudi-specific needs." Given the central role of fossil fuels in Saudi Arabia's economy, the AI algorithms developed by this data center are likely to be applied in the oil and gas production sector.
This strategic move highlights the delicate balance between climate commitments and commercial interests for multinational tech companies, sparking profound reflections on how technological development and environmental protection can be harmonized.