Sustainable AI: 5 ways healthcare can do its part

As far back as 2019, when worldwide adoption of AI was still relatively low, researchers estimated that training a single sizable AI model can puff as much carbon dioxide into the atmosphere as five cars driven for approximately 12 years.

This factoid ought to disturb healthcare, since the sector is now all in with AI—and is responsible for 4.4% of global greenhouse gas emissions.

The reminder comes courtesy of radiology and AI researchers in Japan who conducted a review of the relevant scientific literature and had their report published in Diagnostic and Interventional Imaging.

“As the healthcare industry continues to embrace AI technologies, it is imperative to prioritize sustainability and environmental responsibility,” the authors write. “The integration of AI sustainability within broader institutional and societal sustainability efforts will be crucial for achieving a future where healthcare not only improves patient outcomes but also promotes environmental stewardship.”

The paper’s lead author is Daiju Ueda, MD, PhD, a radiologist and AI professor with the Graduate School of Medicine at Osaka Metropolitan University. Ueda and colleagues outline 10 things healthcare can do to mitigate the sector’s role in climate concerns. Here are their first five.

1. Eco-design and lifecycle assessment

By considering the environmental impact of AI systems throughout their entire lifespan, healthcare organizations can make informed decisions that minimize their carbon footprint and resource consumption.

Recommendation:

Conduct comprehensive lifecycle assessments to identify opportunities for eco-design, sustainable material selection and responsible end-of-life management of AI systems in healthcare.

2. Energy-efficient AI models

By reducing the energy consumption associated with AI model training and deployment, healthcare organizations can significantly decrease their environmental impact.

Recommendation:

Prioritize the development of energy-efficient AI models using techniques such as model compression, quantization and pruning to reduce energy consumption.

3. Green computing infrastructure

Using energy-efficient hardware, optimized software and sustainable infrastructure designs—along with implementing power-management techniques such as dynamic voltage and frequency scaling—can effectively reduce energy consumption during periods of low utilization.

Recommendation:

Adopt green computing practices in healthcare facilities and data centers, including the use of energy-efficient hardware, optimized software, sustainable infrastructure designs and renewable energy sources.

4. Responsible data management

By reducing the storage and computational requirements associated with healthcare data, organizations can decrease the energy consumption and carbon emissions of their AI systems.

Recommendation:

Implement efficient data compression techniques, optimize data storage systems and regularly assess the necessity of stored data to minimize the environmental impact of AI systems.

5. Collaborative research and knowledge sharing

Platforms like the Green AI Consortium and the Sustainable Healthcare Coalition facilitate the exchange of ideas, best practices and joint projects. By fostering collaboration and knowledge transfer, the healthcare community can accelerate the development and adoption of sustainable AI solutions.

Recommendation:

Promote collaborative research efforts and knowledge sharing among healthcare institutions, AI developers, and sustainability experts to advance sustainable AI practices.

“By embracing sustainable AI practices, the healthcare industry can lead the way in demonstrating how advanced technologies can be harnessed for the betterment of both human health and the environment,” Ueda and co-authors conclude. “As we move forward, it is essential to maintain an ongoing dialogue among researchers, practitioners, policymakers and the public to ensure that the development and deployment of AI in healthcare remain aligned with our shared vision of a sustainable and equitable world.”

The paper is posted in full for free.