Global tech trade association ITI has released a new policy guide titled "Sustainable Technology Policy Guide: Understanding AI’s Role in the Energy Transition." The release coincides with the start of Climate Week NYC. The guide outlines how policymakers and industry can collaborate to build a modern energy infrastructure that supports sustainable innovation and ensures sufficient energy access.

The guide provides a comprehensive approach for stakeholders to foster an innovative and green energy economy through grid modernization, alternative low-carbon power sources, and resource management. It also highlights how AI is advancing the green energy transition.

"Responsible AI leadership must address the impacts on energy and sustainability. ITI’s new policy guide recognizes that while technological advancements have paved the way for more efficient and sustainable practices, the proliferation of technologies has also heightened energy needs," said Gordon Bitko, ITI Executive Vice President of Public Sector Policy. "Together, government and industry can realize our shared environmental and sustainability goals while advancing innovation. The entire global tech industry is a critical partner as policymakers look to modernize the grid, expand access to low-carbon power sources, promote resource efficiency, and manage the carbon lifecycle."

The report details how emerging technologies are becoming more efficient through improvements in computing capabilities. It explains how better energy demand forecasting and workload management are reducing the energy footprint required by these technologies.

To achieve a reliable and modern green energy economy, ITI recommends that policymakers:

- Prioritize grid modernization by streamlining permitting processes, incentivizing private sector investments in grid-enhancing technologies (GETs), and supporting research and development.

- Promote low-carbon power sources by optimizing AI-driven technologies for low-carbon solutions, streamlining licensing for advanced nuclear reactors, and forming public-private entities.

- Enhance resource efficiency through integrating new cooling technologies in data centers, encouraging cross-organizational collaboration, promoting emerging cooling solutions, evaluating next-generation technologies, and establishing standardized sustainability reporting mechanisms.

- Manage the carbon footprint of data centers and AI technologies across their life cycle by investing in research to reduce environmental footprints, harmonizing global carbon accounting systems, supporting carbon farming initiatives, and developing standardized methodologies for measuring AI technology footprints.

The full report is available online. Later this week at Climate Week NYC, ITI will co-host an event with Accenture to discuss the report alongside lawmakers and industry leaders.