As the rapid growth of AI is putting unprecedented demands on computing power and energy use, scientists are focusing their research efforts on developing ultra-fast, energy efficient computing capabilities. We invite you to share your perspectives on the societal and ethical dimensions, both now and in the future, of exploring the expansion of high-power AI. What does our future look like when we have energy-efficient computing power that can meet the needs of this rapidly advancing industry?
Imagine a world where AI no longer strains the planet’s resources, where lightning-fast, energy-efficient computing powers breakthroughs across science, medicine, and creativity. The technology itself is extraordinary — but the real story lies in how it reshapes our lives. What new possibilities open when access to such power is widespread? How do we ensure it serves communities rather than divides them? From tackling climate change to redefining work and knowledge, the choices we make today will echo into tomorrow. As ultra-fast, sustainable computing becomes reality, the question isn’t just what AI can do — it’s how we, as a society, choose to use it.
Why Participate?
As scientists present their breakthrough ideas on the main stage of the Falling Walls Science Summit in Berlin, we invite the audience to explore the societal and ethical dimensions of their work, both now and in the future.
Who can Participate
Anyone who is engaged and interested in the topic. We invite both guests of the Falling Walls Science Summit, as well as interested participants who cannot attend the Summit live. Sign up with your email and we'll include you in a lottery to win a 4-day Science Summit ticket!
Challenge Host
The Falling Walls Science Summit is the international, interdisciplinary, and intersectoral forum for global science leaders. Since 2009, the Falling Walls Science Summit has united the world’s greatest minds to break down barriers in science and innovation. We bring together global science leaders, business pioneers, and public sector visionaries to share knowledge, foster collaboration, and shape the future of the international innovation system—creating meaningful impact for humanity.
Challenge Context
This challenge is organised in the context of the Falling Walls Science Summit 2025. There will be a session at the Summit where this topic will be discussed in more detail, and answers gathered through this future canvas will be incorporated.
515 Ratings
AI Revolutionizes Sustainability and Equality
- Future AI could reduce ecological harm with sustainable, decentralized computing solutions.
- AI may transform education by integrating arts into STEM for accessible, holistic learning.
- AI to revolutionize healthcare with personalized, adaptive treatments leveraging advanced technologies.
In the future, the landscape of AI might transform dramatically, presenting a world where equitable access to powerful tools could become a reality, reducing ecological harm. AI systems might operate with extreme energy efficiency, eliminating the need for large data centers and leading to sustainable, decentralized computing solutions. This transition could enable communities worldwide to harness AI for localized needs, promoting ecological balance and empowering areas beyond wealthy tech hubs.
Education systems might undergo a substantial transformation, as AI facilitates advanced, efficient learning environments accessible to all, including the most rural and deprived areas. This evolution might demand a reevaluation of teaching methods, integrating arts and humanities into STEM fields to nurture creativity and ensure AI contributes to holistic societal growth.
In healthcare, AI could revolutionize medical research and treatment, leveraging bio-art, media art, and cutting-edge molecular computing to develop personalized solutions. By demystifying the complex human genome, AI might not only accelerate medical advancements but could also redefine the parameters of health and life itself, offering treatments that are both adaptive and life-affirming. These advances might signal a more sustainable, inclusive future, highlighting AI's potential to heal, optimize, and enrich human existence on a global scale.
AI Proliferation Raises Ethical Concerns
- Emerging smart devices in the environment raise ethical concerns that may delay critical discussions.
- Offline AI access could lower barriers but lead to market saturation and societal isolation.
- AI and quantum computing integration necessitates advanced security but risks job loss and cognitive decline.
As technological advancements continue, the proliferation of small chips might lead to the emergence of smart devices embedded in every aspect of our environment. However, this could accelerate the ethical concerns surrounding chip production, potentially delaying necessary discussions. The ongoing demand for computing efficiency might propel us toward developing artificial superintelligence at an unprecedented speed, risking misalignment with human values due to a lag in alignment research.
The potential offline accessibility of AI services, like Chat GPT, could become a norm due to strides in making AI both affordable and eco-friendly. While this democratization might lower entry barriers, it could flood the market with specialized AI services, ironically diminishing their value and triggering a reevaluation of monetization strategies. The widespread availability could also amplify societal isolation, with decreased human interaction as AI-generated content, from art to music, becomes ubiquitous.
In this future, the synergy between quantum computing and AI might necessitate advanced data security measures. As AI potentially takes over repetitive tasks, humans might adopt a more cyborg-like existence, integrating AI into their bodies and minds. This integration may foster creativity but also raises concerns about job loss and increasing AI control over human decision-making. Without careful management, humanity's reliance on AI could undermine cognitive functions and societal well-being.
AI Revolutionizes Work and Access
- AI and automation may reduce work hours, enhancing leisure and quality of life.
- Democratized AI technology could lower costs, increasing access for smaller organizations.
- AI advancements might decrease ecological impact, supporting global linguistic and cultural inclusion.
In a future scenario, the possibility of reducing average working hours might become a reality as advancements in AI and automation take over repetitive or tedious manual tasks. This shift could free up more time for individuals to engage in creative pursuits, learn new skills, enjoy leisure activities, and spend quality time with friends and family, enhancing overall quality of life.
The democratization of AI technology could see a dismantling of current monopolies held by major corporations like AWS. This shift might bring about more affordable and accessible cloud computing resources, leveling the playing field for individuals and smaller organizations who wish to utilize AI technologies without significant financial barriers.
As AI continues to improve, its ecological footprint might decrease, making it a more sustainable option for a broader range of applications. This could lead to a world where AI support is accessible globally, enabling the training of AIs in less commonly spoken languages, such as Wolof, Sámi, or Breton. Such advancements might not only preserve linguistic diversity but also integrate AI into daily life in a way that benefits communities beyond Silicon Valley, creating a more inclusive and equitable technological landscape.
AI Policies Risk Reinforcing Biases
- AI reliance risks reinforcing biases by reflecting societal discrimination within decision-making.
- Improving AI sustainability could lead to eco-friendly innovations and global policy enhancements.
- Overdependence on AI raises concerns about human identity and ecological impacts.
In the near future, decision-makers might increasingly rely on AI to inform policies; however, this reliance could perpetuate existing biases and inequalities, as AI systems are deeply intertwined with data reflective of societal discrimination. This could result in policies that unintentionally reinforce systemic issues. However, tackling the challenge of AI's sustainability might lead to breakthroughs in developing efficient algorithms and infrastructures powered by renewable energy sources. These advancements could enable more environmentally conscious innovations and create global policies that consider both technological and ecological boundaries, potentially transforming AI into a force for sustainable development.
Simultaneously, there could be concerns about the intangible costs of AI, such as its potential to diminish the human spirit if over-relied upon, as well as its impact on the human mind when used as a cognitive foundation. This overdependence on AI might lead to more destructive interactions with nature if the energy fueling AI remains non-renewable. Hence, the widespread integration of AI in daily life might necessitate critical reflections on both its operational impacts on the environment and its philosophical implications on human identity and interaction with the world.