“We’re Fighting the Wrong Battle”: Climate Expert Warns Against Overinvestment in AI

Jean-Marc Jancovici, environmental engineer, lecturer, and co-founder of the think tank The Shift Project, has raised serious concerns about the current global focus on artificial intelligence (AI). Speaking on France Inter on Monday, May 19, Jancovici criticized the massive investments being poured into AI technologies, arguing that they are distracting from more urgent global challenges—particularly climate change.

Jancovici, who is known for developing France’s carbon accounting methodology during his time at ADEME (the French Environment and Energy Management Agency), expressed frustration over recent announcements of billions of euros in private investment earmarked for AI development. These include over €109 billion pledged toward AI initiatives in France through to 2031 following February’s AI Summit, and further commitments ahead of the 8th Choose France summit held near Paris.

“When I see €109 billion going into AI while the National Forest Office—which manages 10% of French territory—only receives €1 billion per year as forests are dying, I can’t help but feel we’re not prioritizing correctly,” said Jancovici. “In a world of infinite resources, investing in gadgets alongside essential services wouldn’t bother me. But in a world of finite resources, choosing gadgets over essentials? That worries me deeply.”

🧠 AI: A Gadget for the Elite?

Jancovici also pointed out that much of the enthusiasm for AI comes from privileged elites who are already benefiting from globalization. He argues that this focus risks widening inequality, as it diverts attention and funding away from problems affecting the majority of the population—such as energy transition, food security, infrastructure resilience, and ecological restoration.

“We are focusing on things that interest those who don’t have real problems, while neglecting the issues that affect 90% of the population,” he added. “I believe we are choosing the wrong battle by investing so heavily in these technologies. We’re rushing headlong into something simply because we can do it—while ignoring far more critical challenges.”

✅ Key Takeaways & Possible Solutions

1. Reassess Investment Priorities

Governments and private investors should critically evaluate how funds are allocated, ensuring that financial decisions align not only with short-term innovation goals but also with long-term ecological and societal well-being. While technological advancement and economic growth are undeniably important, they must not come at the expense of our planet’s health or social equity. In the face of escalating climate change, biodiversity loss, and resource depletion, it is imperative that investments prioritize sustainability, resilience, and the public good. Redirecting capital toward projects that reduce carbon emissions, protect natural ecosystems, and support vulnerable communities will yield greater returns—both economically and environmentally—in the decades to come.

Solution: Establish independent review panels composed of climate scientists, economists, sociologists, and policy experts to assess all major public investment projects through the dual lenses of climate impact and societal need. These panels could provide transparent evaluations, recommend adjustments to enhance sustainability, and ensure that funding supports long-term resilience rather than short-lived technological trends.

2. Integrate AI Thoughtfully

Rather than treating artificial intelligence (AI) as an end goal in itself, it should be viewed as a powerful tool that can support and enhance broader sustainability objectives. When leveraged responsibly, AI has the potential to play a transformative role in addressing environmental challenges—such as optimizing energy consumption, monitoring and managing ecosystems, improving agricultural efficiency, and enhancing climate modeling. These applications not only increase operational effectiveness but also contribute meaningfully to global efforts in climate adaptation and resilience building.

However, much of the current investment and innovation in AI is focused on commercial or surveillance-driven applications that offer limited societal benefit. To ensure that AI serves the greater good, there needs to be a deliberate shift in funding priorities and policy direction.

Solution: Redirect AI research and development funding toward projects that directly contribute to climate adaptation and mitigation strategies. This includes supporting AI-driven solutions for renewable energy integration, carbon capture optimization, precision agriculture, deforestation monitoring, and disaster risk prediction. Public and private stakeholders should collaborate to create grant programs, innovation challenges, and regulatory incentives that favor AI applications with measurable environmental and social impact.

3. Focus on Equity and Inclusion

Public policy must ensure that technological progress benefits all layers of society—not just urban elites or tech-savvy sectors. The rapid advancement of digital tools, including artificial intelligence and data analytics, risks widening existing inequalities if access remains concentrated among privileged groups. In many rural and disadvantaged communities, the lack of infrastructure, digital literacy, and economic resources creates a growing gap between those who shape technological innovation and those who are affected by it.

To prevent this divide from deepening, governments must take proactive steps to democratize access to technology and align its development with the needs of underserved populations. This is especially critical in the context of climate change, where marginalized communities often bear the brunt of environmental degradation despite contributing the least to the problem.

Solution: Develop inclusive innovation programs that combine digital tools with grassroots environmental action, especially in rural and disadvantaged communities. These initiatives should prioritize local participation, capacity building, and co-designing solutions that respond directly to community needs. Examples include using AI-powered platforms to support smallholder farmers in adapting to changing weather patterns, deploying low-cost sensors for air and water quality monitoring in polluted neighborhoods, or creating mobile apps that help vulnerable populations prepare for climate-related disasters. Public investment should also focus on improving digital infrastructure and offering training programs that empower individuals to engage meaningfully with emerging technologies.

4. Raise Public Awareness

There needs to be a broader, more inclusive public debate on where we allocate our time, talent, and treasure—as individuals, corporations, and governments. The decisions we make today about investment, innovation, and resource use will shape the future of our planet and society for generations to come. Yet, these critical choices are often made behind closed doors or driven by short-term economic interests, with limited public understanding or engagement.

Meaningful progress toward sustainability and equity requires an informed and active citizenry. People need access to clear, science-based information that helps them understand the trade-offs involved in different policy and investment choices—whether it’s funding AI development versus reforestation, urban infrastructure versus rural resilience, or private tech ventures versus public health systems.

Solution: Launch national awareness campaigns on resource allocation and sustainability, modeled after successful public health messaging initiatives. These campaigns should use accessible language, multimedia platforms, and community outreach to spark dialogue and promote civic engagement around climate and investment priorities. By highlighting real-world impacts and long-term consequences, such efforts can empower citizens to hold decision-makers accountable and advocate for policies that align with both human and planetary well-being.

🌍 Final Thoughts

Jean-Marc Jancovici’s message is clear: in a world facing unprecedented environmental crises, we cannot afford to be distracted by flashy innovations if they come at the cost of planetary stability and social equity. The question isn’t whether we can build advanced AI systems—but whether we should, when doing so diverts us from solving the most pressing issues of our time.

Let’s not forget: technology should serve humanity—and the planet—not the other way around.