“If you can’t find the book you want to read, write one.”
That metaphor encapsulated how Dr. Marco Tedesco, Lamont Research Professor at the Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory at Columbia University, encouraged attendees to approach artificial intelligence during a recent panel discussion hosted by the Columbia University School of Professional Studies (SPS) Technology Management, Sustainability Management, and Sustainability Science programs, along with the newly launched SPS AI Lab.
The discussion also reflected a broader goal of the recently launched SPS AI Lab: helping students and professionals move beyond the hype surrounding artificial intelligence and understand how it can be applied responsibly to real-world challenges. Founded to advance AI literacy, innovation, and hands-on learning across SPS, the Lab brings together faculty, students, alumni, and industry leaders to explore the opportunities and implications of AI across sectors.
As moderator, Tedesco led a conversation with Jane Bartman, Sustainability & Decarbonization at Bloomberg Associates; Dr. Amen Ra Mashariki, director of AI and data strategies at the Bezos Earth Fund; and David Gilford, managing partner of PolicyAlpha. The discussion explored AI’s role in advancing sustainability solutions across sectors, from emerging applications to the responsibilities associated with developing and deploying these technologies.
Beyond the Hype
Panelists began by addressing common misconceptions about AI, emphasizing that while it is not a universal solution, it is an increasingly necessary resource with broad potential. “People believe that if you care about our world, you should sit this one out. And I think, absolutely not,” Bartman said, pushing back against the idea that sustainability and AI are at odds. Instead, she framed AI as a complement to data-driven, human-led climate solutions; after all, its outputs are only as strong as the data behind them.
Mashariki reinforced the importance of selectivity in this process. “On our team, we always ask a fundamental question: Could this problem be solved without AI? If so, we don’t touch it.” He emphasized the value of AI as an enabler of solutions that would not otherwise be possible.
Panelists also agreed that people, not technology, must drive this change. As Gilford noted, “There is a clear distinction between a task and a job.” While AI can perform tasks with clear instructions and resources, it cannot replicate the interpersonal relationships and collaboration required for a job.
AI in Practice: Applications and Tradeoffs
The conversation then turned to how AI is already being deployed across sustainability efforts. Panelists pointed to applications ranging from wildfire detection systems in Texas to large-scale analyses of building efficiency in cities such as London. These tools allow for faster response times and more comprehensive data analysis, particularly in complex urban environments.
Their impact, however, is not straightforward. “There’s no way to make a binary decision—is AI good, is AI bad,” Gilford said. “Regardless, it is here to stay. Nowhere is that more clear than in the debate about data centers.” Concerns about AI’s environmental footprint often center on data centers, but because much of the underlying data remains proprietary, assessing the technology’s full impact can be difficult.
These tensions are especially prominent in the public sector, where questions of responsibility come to the forefront. Bartman emphasized that AI’s role in cities must remain grounded in public needs. “City government serves its residents, not AI tools,” she said, underscoring the importance of transparency and accountability in public contexts. “Even if it is not at the bleeding edge of research, the city must work toward building that change for everyone in the community.”
The Role of Students
Looking ahead, panelists encouraged attendees to embrace uncertainty and engage with emerging technologies as they evolve. “Uncertainty is something that we all have to deal with, and technological change, especially at the rate we’re seeing now, is a big part of that,” Gilford said.
They also urged students to engage actively with AI rather than approach it passively. “The advent of AI will push people into two boxes: creators and users,” Mashariki said. “Everyone has the opportunity to be in the creator box. They just have to take it.” From experimenting with local models to building projects beyond simple prompts, panelists stressed the importance of hands-on learning. They also pointed to resources such as the newly launched SPS AI Lab, which provides students, faculty, and alumni with access to AI tools, applied learning opportunities, industry partnerships, research initiatives, and programming designed to build AI literacy and practical skills.
“Hearing from experts who grapple with the issues of AI in their day-to-day gave me optimism that it holds a lot of promise for our future,” said attendee Sarah Shapiro, a recent graduate of the M.S. in Sustainability Science program.
As part of SPS’s broader programming on AI across industries, the event highlighted both the promise and the complexity of using AI for sustainability. For attendees such as Shapiro, the discussion underscored that the impact of AI depends not only on the technology itself, but also on how thoughtfully it is applied.
Those interested in exploring the SPS AI Lab can learn more here.
About the Programs
The Columbia University M.S. in Sustainability Management program, offered by the School of Professional Studies in partnership with the Climate School, provides students with cutting-edge policy and management tools to help public and private organizations and governments address environmental impacts and risks, pollution control, and remediation to achieve sustainability. The program is customized for working professionals and is offered as a full-time and part-time course of study.
The program fosters creativity and adaptability by equipping students with the skills to tackle real-world sustainability challenges through an interdisciplinary approach from the world’s premier sustainability academics, researchers, and practitioners. The up-to-the-minute curriculum and flexibility prepare graduates for careers in the dynamic and rapidly changing field of sustainability.
Learn more about the program here.
—
The Columbia University M.S. in Sustainability Science program, offered by the School of Professional Studies in partnership with the Climate School, prepares students for management and leadership positions in which they help organizations address environmental impacts. Students learn strategies to respond to the ever-changing environment and predict future environmental changes—and the impact on corporations, not-for-profits, and the public.
Designed by research faculty at the Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory in collaboration with Columbia’s Earth Institute, the program develops a new generation of scientific leaders through a cutting-edge curriculum led by the world’s top sustainability scientists, the majority of whom are Lamont Research Professors. Graduates are well prepared for management and leadership positions, armed with the scientific expertise to drive meaningful environmental change and lead organizations in a rapidly evolving sustainability landscape. With the flexibility to choose from a variety of courses, students can tailor their education to career goals, while New York City serves as a living laboratory for sustainability innovations and connects them with employers actively seeking program graduates.
Learn more about the program here.
—
The Columbia University Master of Science in Technology Management at Columbia University prepares graduates to lead digital transformation, and align technology and business strategy with an ethical lens. Through experiential learning, industry partnerships, and Columbia-supported research, students gain fluency in digital platforms and emerging technologies, and learn to design human-centered solutions that drive innovation and sustainable impact.
The program is available for part-time or full-time enrollment online or on campus in NYC. Learn more about the program here.
