Artificial intelligence, the earth system, and the law
Artificial intelligence, the earth system, and the law
The speed of development and use of artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly increasing. While the potential for AI to contribute to tackling global challenges, including climate change and biodiversity is widely acknowledged, various socio-ecological impacts arise during the lifecycle of AI. Such impacts arise from the extraction of rare earth elements in the manufacture of computing equipment, such as graphics processing units, and the operation of energy- and water-intensive computer servers during the training and use of AI models. This article posits that, thus far, insufficient regulatory attention is paid to such impacts. Emerging regulatory initiatives in the European Union and the United Kingdom are briefly discussed, revealing that these approaches are overly human-centric. Focusing on ecological impacts of AI, the chapter explores elements that should be included in AI regulation to contribute to safeguarding the earth system alongside AI's rapid expansion.
artificial intelligence, climate change, Earth System, law, regulation, ecological impacts
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Du Toit, Louise
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Du Toit, Louise
e0fb7237-6c1f-4c3c-9568-71f47f068a06
Du Toit, Louise
(2025)
Artificial intelligence, the earth system, and the law.
Law, Innovation and Technology, , [23].
Abstract
The speed of development and use of artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly increasing. While the potential for AI to contribute to tackling global challenges, including climate change and biodiversity is widely acknowledged, various socio-ecological impacts arise during the lifecycle of AI. Such impacts arise from the extraction of rare earth elements in the manufacture of computing equipment, such as graphics processing units, and the operation of energy- and water-intensive computer servers during the training and use of AI models. This article posits that, thus far, insufficient regulatory attention is paid to such impacts. Emerging regulatory initiatives in the European Union and the United Kingdom are briefly discussed, revealing that these approaches are overly human-centric. Focusing on ecological impacts of AI, the chapter explores elements that should be included in AI regulation to contribute to safeguarding the earth system alongside AI's rapid expansion.
Text
Du Toit. 2025. Artificial intelligence, the earth system, and the law
- Version of Record
Text
Artificial intelligence the earth system and the law
- Version of Record
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e-pub ahead of print date: 3 December 2025
Keywords:
artificial intelligence, climate change, Earth System, law, regulation, ecological impacts
Identifiers
Local EPrints ID: 507428
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/507428
ISSN: 1757-997X
PURE UUID: 55d06b7f-b5fb-4d2c-80fa-f5a8e8ad6d91
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Date deposited: 09 Dec 2025 17:42
Last modified: 10 Dec 2025 03:02
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Author:
Louise Du Toit
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