Ideas - IT researchers' carbon footprint

The carbon footprint of theoretical computing and AI researchers

Antoine Amarilli, associate professor en computer science, May 2023.

Antoine Amarilli’s research focuses on theoretical computer science, but he also sometimes takes a side-track approach. For example, he is committed to the climate and points out that, in computer science-related disciplines, the evaluation model for researchers is still strongly correlated with their travel to international conferences, with a high carbon footprint as a result.

Key words: low consumption, energy saving, optimisation, carbon neutrality

Interview by Isabelle Mauriac

[Télécom Paris Ideas] Le bilan carbone des chercheurs en informatique théorique et en IA (vidéo)

« The evaluation model for researchers is being called into question by the climate crisis: in disciplines linked to computer science and AI, the evaluation model for researchers is still strongly correlated with their travel to international conferences, with a high carbon footprint as a result. If you have to travel to publish, then researchers who can’t travel can’t publish: in addition to the impact on the climate, there is a serious impact on inclusiveness. »

Video Michel Desnoues, Télécom Paris