As AI Drives Electricity Demand, Environmental Sustainability Remains a Low Priority in Corporate AI Strategies - Survey
AI is driving the largest surge in US electricity demand in decades. Yet only 13% of surveyed sustainability leaders say environmental impact is a major consideration in their companies' responsible AI strategy. Another 31% say it ranks behind ethics, bias and security. That's according to a new report by The Conference Board.
The study also examines how companies are using AI to advance sustainability goals. While about a third of surveyed leaders (34%) are using it for sustainability-related disclosure and reporting, far fewer are applying it to higher-impact operational improvements, such as energy optimization.
"As AI investment continues at record pace, its environmental footprint is becoming impossible to ignore. Datacentres already account for a growing share of US electricity demand, and water use is rising as AI workloads scale. Yet the same technology is also unlocking new tools for decarbonisation, grid optimisation and operational efficiency. In 2026, the leading companies will be those that take a dual lens - managing AI's resource demands while harnessing AI to accelerate sustainability outcomes," said Andrew Jones, author of the report and Principal Researcher at The Conference Board.
The survey draws on responses from more than 60 corporate sustainability leaders at large US and multinational companies.
The Conference Board is the member-driven non-profit think tank that delivers Trusted Insights for What's Ahead.
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