Net 0++: Concrete arguments for AI

Net 0++: Concrete arguments for AI

In our third episode about AI & the environment, Alix interviewed Sherif Elsayed-Ali, who’s been working on using AI to reduce the carbon emissions of concrete. Yes, that’s right — concrete.

This may seem like a very niche place to focus a green initiative on but it isn’t; concrete is the second most used substance in the world because it’s integral to modern infrastructure, and there’s no other material like it. It’s also one of the biggest carbon emitters in the world.

In this episode Sherif explains how AI and machine learning can make the process of concrete production more precise and efficient so that it burns much less fuel. Listen to learn about the big picture of global carbon emissions, and how AI can actually be used to actually reduce carbon output, rather than just monitor it — or add to it!

Sherif Elsayed-Ali trained as a civil engineer, then studied international human rights law and public policy and administration. He worked with the UN and in the non-profit sector on humanitarian and human rights research and policy, before embarking on a career in tech and climate.

Sherif founded Amnesty Tech, a group at the forefront of technology and human rights. He then joined Element AI (today Service Now Research), starting and leading its AI for Climate work. In 2020, he co-founded and became CEO of Carbon Re, an industrial AI company spun out of Cambridge University and UCL, developing novel solutions for decarbonising cement. He then co-founded Nexus Climate, a company providing climate tech advisory services and supporting the startup ecosystem.

Episoder(111)

Our learnings from 2024

Our learnings from 2024

We’re wrapped for the year, and will be back on the 10th of Jan. In the meantime, listen to Alix, Prathm, and Georgia discuss their biggest learnings from the pod this year from some of their favourit...

20 Des 202448min

A $20bn Search Engine w/ Michelle Meagher

A $20bn Search Engine w/ Michelle Meagher

Google has finally been judged to be a monopoly by a federal court — while this was strikingly obvious already, what does this judgement mean? Is this too little too late?This week Alix and Prathm wer...

13 Des 202445min

The Age of Noise w/ Eryk Salvaggio

The Age of Noise w/ Eryk Salvaggio

What happens if you ask a generative AI image model to show you what Picasso’s work would have looked like if he lived in Japan in the 16th century? Would it produce something totally new, or just mas...

6 Des 202447min

The Happy Few: Open Source AI (part two)

The Happy Few: Open Source AI (part two)

In part two of our episode on open source AI, we delve deeper into we can use openness and participation for sustainable AI governance. It’s clear that everyone agrees that things like the proliferati...

29 Nov 202453min

The Happy Few: Open Source AI (part one)

The Happy Few: Open Source AI (part one)

In the context of AI, what do we mean when we say ‘open source’? An AI model is not something you can straightforwardly open up like a piece of software; there are huge technical and social considerat...

22 Nov 202458min

Algorithmically cutting benefits w/ Kevin De Liban

Algorithmically cutting benefits w/ Kevin De Liban

This week Alix was joined by Kevin De Liban, who just launched Techntonic Justice, an organisation designed to support and fight for those harmed by AI systems.In this episode Kevin describes his expe...

15 Nov 202450min

Election Debrief

Election Debrief

This week we’re wallowing in post-election catharsis: Alix and Prathm process the result together, and discuss the implications this administration has for technology politics.How much of a role will ...

8 Nov 202440min

US Election Special w/ Spencer Overton

US Election Special w/ Spencer Overton

For this pre-election special, Prathm spoke with law professor Spencer Overton about how this election has — and hasn’t — be impacted by AI systems. Misinformation and deepfakes appear to be top of th...

1 Nov 202451min

Populært innen Samfunn

rss-spartsklubben
giver-og-gjengen-vg
aftenpodden
aftenpodden-usa
konspirasjonspodden
lydartikler-fra-aftenposten
popradet
rss-nesten-hele-uka-med-lepperod
rss-henlagt-andy-larsgaard
grenselos
alt-fortalt
wolfgang-wee-uncut
min-barneoppdragelse
synnve-og-vanessa
rss-dette-ma-aldri-skje-igjen
rss-dannet-uten-piano
fladseth
krisemoter
frokostshowet-pa-p5
opptur-med-annette-og-ingeborg