GreenAI platform

Summary

A European industrial platform aims to create self-sufficient AI technologies that integrate frugal AI principles.

The GREENAI project aims to transform air quality monitoring in buildings and traffic management using intelligent, energy-autonomous IoT devices.

These connected objects (smart IoT devices) will be powered by solar sensors, capable of harvesting energy from ambient light, even when the sun is not visible.

The editorial perspective

It is difficult to take a definitive stance on this project. The proposed processes clearly aim to reduce the environmental footprint of AI-powered systems, both in algorithm efficiency and in connected devices supporting AI deployment.

The promise is to create energy-autonomous connected objects.

This is an interesting concept, as frugal AI would process collected data locally on the device itself. Given that the number of connected devices is expected to surge, particularly with the expansion of "smart" technologies, this approach aligns well with the goal of reducing environmental impact.

However, developing such technologies also encourages greater data usage to solve modern challenges. Will data accumulation truly be the solution to traffic management or air quality improvement?

Additionally, this is where the project’s biggest challenge lies: GreenAI appears more focused on increasing the number of connected devices rather than reducing them.

Even if the system is energy-efficient, the embedded technology in each connected device will still have an environmental footprint—one that could be substantial.

It is important to reiterate that hardware’s environmental footprint is significantly higher than that of its usage. This is due to the complex processes involved in manufacturing digital equipment, from mineral extraction to assembly in factories.