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Environment

The Rise of Artificial Intelligence - Future Outlooks and Emerging Risks

Allianz Global Corporate and Specialty (2018)

Source
Category
Risk Domain
6Socioeconomic & Environmental
6.6Environmental harm

The development and operation of AI systems causing environmental harm, such as through energy consumption of data centers, or material and carbon footprints associated with AI hardware.

"AI is already helping to combat the impact of climate change with smart technology and sensors reducing emissions. However, it is also a key component in the development of nanobots, which could have dangerous environmental impacts by invisibly modifying substances at nanoscale."(p. 7)

Entity— Who or what caused the harm

Human

Due to a decision or action made by humans

AI system

Due to a decision or action made by an AI system

Other

Due to some other reason or is ambiguous

Intent— Whether the harm was intentional or accidental

Intentional

Due to an expected outcome from pursuing a goal

Unintentional

Due to an unexpected outcome from pursuing a goal

Other

Without clearly specifying the intentionality

Timing— Whether the risk is pre- or post-deployment

Pre-deployment

Occurring before the AI is deployed

Post-deployment

Occurring after the AI model has been trained and deployed

Other

Without a clearly specified time of occurrence

Sub-categories (1)

Accelerated development of nanotechnology produces uncontrolled production of toxic nanoparticles

"AI is a key component for the development of nanobots, which could have dangerous environmental implications by invisibly modifying substances at nanoscale. For example, nanobots could start chemical reactions that would create invisible nanoparticles that are toxic and potentially lethal."

6.6 Environmental harm
AI systemUnintentionalPost-deployment

Other risks from Allianz Global Corporate and Specialty (2018) (13)

Economic

6.2 Increased inequality and decline in employment quality
AI systemIntentionalPost-deployment

Economic > Increased income disparity

6.2 Increased inequality and decline in employment quality
AI systemOtherPost-deployment

Political

4.1 Disinformation, surveillance, and influence at scale
HumanIntentionalPost-deployment

Political > Biased influence through citizen screening and tailored propaganda

4.1 Disinformation, surveillance, and influence at scale
HumanIntentionalPost-deployment

Political > Potential exploitation by totalitarian regimes

6.1 Power centralization and unfair distribution of benefits
HumanIntentionalPost-deployment

Mobility

6.5 Governance failure
AI systemUnintentionalPost-deployment
View all 13 risks from this paper →