Inside Dassault Systèmes' Greener AI Future with Frugal Tech

By 2030, AI data centres could account for 3% of global electricity consumption, with some regions experiencing much higher demands.

For instance, AI-related energy use in Ireland might reach 35% of its national power consumption. The International Organization for Standardization's guidelines, ISO/IEC 42005, aim to help businesses evaluate AI’s societal impacts, including environmental costs.

Amid these forecasts, Philippine de T’Serclaes, the Chief Sustainability Officer at Dassault Systèmes, remains hopeful about AI’s potential for environmental benefit.

The potential of machine learning for data centre sustainability

Machine learning algorithms are proving beneficial by enhancing grid efficiencies by 15% and improving battery storage by up to 20%.

These technologies could also reduce timelines for renewable energy projects by 20%, resulting in significant cost savings by 2050.

McKinsey suggests AI and machine learning could fast-track nearly half of the necessary measures to meet the Paris Agreement's 1.5-degree mandate.

AI is already driving sustainable innovation by creating lighter packaging for energy-efficient transport and developing new materials for advanced battery systems.

Notably, AI-developed paint coatings have demonstrated the ability to reduce building temperatures by 20°C.

Nevertheless, concerns grow over the energy sources powering these advancements, a point highlighted by recent studies.

Dassault Systèmes’ partnerships for efficiency gains

According to MIT’s Technology Review, the quick growth of AI applications could mean data centres move toward more carbon-intensive energy sources.

In response, Dassault Systèmes collaborates with Quanta Cloud Technology to enhance efficiency, promoting "Frugal AI" strategies that focus on streamlined models and measurable impacts. Model pruning is one such technique, reducing computational needs without losing accuracy, thereby lowering energy consumption.

Additionally, optimising data centres presents immediate opportunities for energy efficiency.

With cooling systems accounting for up to 40% of energy use, choosing efficient systems can improve energy utilisation by 30%.

Dassault Systèmes utilises virtual twins on its 3DEXPERIENCE platform to operate sustainably through collaboration with partners.

For example, their work includes simulations with QCT to optimise heat and airflow in data centres for effective air conditioning systems.

Furthermore, Dassault Systèmes supports Bouygues Construction in modular building processes and works with Olivier Naar to design modular nuclear reactors.

“I don’t see isolated projects,” Philippine says, “I see interconnected, mutually enhancing nodes within a wider value network. 

“I see how those same techniques can help build modular data centers. I see how we can power them with electricity that is low-carbon and convenient.”

The importance of broader thinking

Efforts like the Coalition for Sustainable AI highlight the importance of network effects, where Dassault Systèmes' involvement reflects a commitment to sustainable goals.

Philippine de T’Serclaes stresses that technical solutions alone cannot solve sustainability challenges, urging the industry to consider the purpose of AI deployments alongside efficiency.

“AI will be what we make of it,” she says.

“Circular thinking needs to be embedded not just in our processes and products, but also in our methods and in the way we think about the world.”

She concludes: “We have what we need to make the infrastructure and ecosystems that power AI start working more effectively today.

“What we make of it? Well, that’s up to us.”