Greenpeace: AI Will Be 'Defining Test' of Apple's Climate Commitments

In remarks reported by The Verge, Greenpeace spokesperson Avex Li said the computing demands of Siri AI and other Apple Intelligence features, which rely on large-scale data centers, pose a significant threat to Apple's achievements in reducing its environmental footprint. "AI will be the defining test of Apple's climate commitments," Li said. "To preserve Tim Cook's environmental legacy, the company will need to show that AI growth can be accommodated within its existing climate commitments through absolute emissions reductions, additional renewable energy investment, and longer-lasting products."

Greenpeace has praised Apple's environmental initiatives for more than a decade, including a 2015 report on the company's use of renewable energy to power data centers. Apple continues to lead the industry in powering its internet operations with renewable energy, and all three of its data center expansions announced in the past year are expected to use renewable power. Apple has also pushed major colocation providers to help maintain progress toward its 100% renewable energy goal. Last year, Greenpeace East Asia gave Apple a B+ grade for increasing renewable energy use in its supply chains.

However, the upcoming launch of Siri AI next month could alter that trajectory. While Apple aims to handle as many tasks as possible on-device, more complex functions require data centers that consume significant amounts of electricity and water. Apple responded to The Verge by pointing to its most recent environmental progress report and past statements on the topic.