Is AI the Secret Weapon Against Climate Change? Discover What Harvard's Shocking New Program Reveals!

As a winter storm prepared to blanket the Harvard Business School (HBS) campus with nearly two feet of snow, a group of MBA students gathered in Aldrich Hall for a groundbreaking Short Intensive Program (SIP) titled "AI and Climate Change: Unlocking Business Opportunities." This course, led by Professor Mike Toffel and Senior Lecturer John Mulliken, was one of ten no-fee, no-credit elective courses engaging over 675 students that week.

Toffel and Mulliken utilized their expertise in business strategy, climate change, and artificial intelligence (AI) to orchestrate an impressive lineup of nearly 30 guest speakers. These industry leaders, ranging from investors and academics to consultants and entrepreneurs, ignited the students' imaginations about how AI can positively impact climate initiatives at an unprecedented pace.

“We created this SIP to discuss the convergence of two megatrends that will have profound effects on our students’ careers: AI and climate change,” said Professor Toffel. “While there’s increasing awareness of the vast amounts of energy that the AI revolution is requiring, there has been much less attention on the many business opportunities that are using AI to help companies become more resilient to the physical manifestations of climate change.”

The course was structured around three main objectives: (1) to provide foundational knowledge on climate change and AI concepts, (2) to drive new discoveries through a diverse array of roles and technologies, and (3) to foster connections among students, faculty, and industry leaders.

Students were eager to engage, with MBA candidate Ferhat Gherbi (MBA 2027) expressing at the outset, “AI and climate are the zeitgeists of our generation; it’s exciting to see the intersection. I want to see if this is a bet I want to make on my career.”

Foundational Insights and Industry Challenges

Spencer Glendon, an executive fellow at HBS and founder of Probable Futures, emphasized the urgency of understanding climate instability, which is fundamentally altering the foundations of business and economics. He urged students to “use AI as a question machine rather than an answer machine.”

HBS Executive Fellow Jenn Turliuk outlined various forms of AI and potential areas for synergy between AI and climate initiatives. She also introduced the concept of a “double-edged reality,” where the energy demands of AI could pose significant challenges but also create competitive advantages for businesses willing to adapt.

This context shaped the week’s discussions, steering students toward developing informed questions rather than merely seeking answers.

The guest speakers, representing a wide spectrum of industries, shared insights about their efforts in developing new technologies and business models aimed at addressing climate-related challenges. From startups focused on wildfire suppression to large enterprises optimizing urban traffic flow, the breadth of applications showcased the transformative potential of AI.

“Meeting this breadth of builders under one roof was remarkable,” said Mulliken. “It was great to see young leaders understand how they can leverage AI and machine learning to meaningfully impact the challenges of climate change.”

Students were presented with real-world challenges, such as the need to accelerate research and development for alternative resources and the inefficiencies in resource utilization. As they analyzed various approaches for climate resilience and decarbonization, they adeptly posed critical questions that MBA students are trained to consider: Is the approach providing a net benefit? Can the business model succeed in its specific context? How does this company fit into the broader data and information landscape?

This dynamic exchange of ideas fostered a vibrant community among the students, who came from diverse backgrounds yet shared a common goal of connecting over these pressing global issues. The SIP organizers prioritized networking opportunities, including a gathering at Mulliken’s home, where students mingled with faculty and industry leaders, and reserved lunch spaces for ongoing discussions.

The connections made during the program have already sparked new project ideas and potential job opportunities, with students actively engaging through a dedicated WhatsApp group.

Looking Ahead

This climate-focused SIP underscores HBS’s commitment to exploring the intersection of two defining topics for the future of business: artificial intelligence and climate change. As AI technology evolves, it has the potential to process vast data sets faster than ever, raising questions about how organizations will deploy these tools while evaluating their impact.

“I’m a near-term AI skeptic, but some of the applications that we’ve seen this week have surprised me and left me cautiously optimistic,” reflected one student during the closing session.

As the world grapples with the pressing challenges of climate change, initiatives like this SIP are crucial in equipping the next generation of business leaders with the knowledge and connections they need to innovate responsibly and effectively. The integration of AI into climate initiatives not only presents opportunities for business growth but also plays a vital role in shaping a sustainable future for all.