5 + 5 Workshop | Academic Dialogue | January 16, 2025 in Duisburg
English see below | Die Künstliche Intelligenz (kurz KI oder AI) steckt noch in den Kinderschuhen, sowohl in Europa als auch in China. Mit Blick auf die ambitionierten Nachhaltigkeitsziele beider Märkte wurde sie zu einem denkbar ungünstigen Zeitpunkt aus der Wiege gehoben. Um bei dem Bild zu bleiben: Das „KI-Baby“ verursacht einen immensen Stromverbrauch. Wie kann dieser hohe Bedarf gedeckt werden, wenn parallel die grüne Wende vollzogen werden soll? Gleichzeitig eröffnen sich neue Chancen, da KI dazu beitragen kann, Strom aus erneuerbaren Energien in die Stromnetze einzuspeisen und an große Endverbraucher zu liefern. Welche Potenziale und Herausforderungen damit verbunden sind, diskutierten fünf renommierte Forscherinnen und Forscher aus China und fünf aus Deutschland im Rahmen einer wissenschaftlichen Tagung am 16. Januar 2025 in Duisburg.
Artificial intelligence (AI) is still in its infancy in both Europe and China. Given the ambitious sustainability goals of both markets, one say it came at an unfavorable time. To continue the metaphor, „baby AI“ is a huge energy consumer. How is this high demand to be met if the green transition is to be implemented too? At the same time, AI offers new opportunities to efficiently feed generated electricity, ideally from renewable energy sources, into power grids and deliver it to large end users. These challenges and many other aspects connected were discussed in detail by five renowned researchers from China and five from Germany at a conference in Duisburg on January 16, 2025.
The aim of the workshop was to exchange ideas on building sustainable economies in the age of AI. Cases and research from both countries evolving around the following questions were discussed: What are the challenges posed by the increasing energy consumption caused by the use of artificial intelligence? What opportunities and potential of artificial intelligence could help to shape the green transition? What other measures are needed for the transition to a green economy and securing economic stability and growth? What narratives of sustainable policy efforts evolve to what end? How should AI be regulated?
Some workshop takeaways
- The digital economy increases energy consumption but also strengthens energy security by improving efficiency and energy structures. However, its impact varies across countries, with trade openness amplifying benefits while high-income nations experience a weaker effect.
- Balancing computing demand and green energy supply is key to sustainable AI development. Policies like „East Data, West Computing“ in China aim to optimize IDC deployment, a coordinative optimization framework model of the deployment of IDCs and electricity system, including among others a 2℃ emission constrain scenario, can predict and balance future energy and IDC demands.
- China must balance rising energy demand with green energy goals, particularly in AI-driven data centers. For building Beijing greater area into one of China’s national-data center clusters, improving efficiency is essential In the short term, while long-term strategies should involve collaboration with clean-energy-rich regions in the West of the country.
- Extreme weather increases loan default risks in China’s rural banking system, but unlike conventional strategies, rural banks continue lending to high-risk areas. Strengthening local supply chains and offering guarantees or insurance can help share risks, while lowering loan prices can enhance climate resilience.
- Debates on China’s renewable energy progress depict an incomplete picture at times—while there are optimistic claims about CO₂ emission peaks, addressing issues like overcapacity is essential for a comprehensive understanding of the country’s energy transition.
- A fair global climate regime should consider historical emissions and cumulative per capita emission rights to meet the 2°C target while ensuring industrialized nations take responsibility for past emissions.
- Germany must leverage AI, innovation, and investment to counteract rising labor and energy costs, boost productivity, and transform energy systems. Market-based climate tools like emissions trading and climate clubs can aid in achieving global climate goals.
- Energy and climate policies play a vital role in addressing both external and internal market inefficiencies. While behavioral interventions can effectively influence decision-making, their overall impact tends to be moderate and challenging to scale. Well-designed policy mixes significantly enhance effectiveness, but assessing their broader welfare impacts remains complex.
- AI regulation is essential but should focus on specific applications rather than the technology itself. Effective regulation must address challenges like transparency, rapid AI advancements, and potential industry influence while also considering the entire AI supply chain.
The 5+5 Workshop Dialogue is jointly organized by Prof. Markus Taube, University of Duisburg-Essen, and Prof. Qi Shaozhou, University of Wuhan. Both universities have been engaged in academic exchange for many years. The 5+5 Workshop Dialogue is an opportunity for scholars to exchange ideas on current developments. This year, the Confucius Institute Metropolis Ruhr hosted the conference in Duisburg.
