The Invisible Footprint: Balancing AI Innovation with Net Zero

As generative AI moves from experimental tool to the backbone of UK production, the industry faces a high-stakes environmental paradox. While AI-driven virtual production can eliminate the carbon-heavy necessity of international travel, the sheer computational power required to render high-fidelity synthetic media is creating a new, invisible footprint. By 2030, the global energy demand for AI data centres is projected to rival the consumption of mid-sized nations, forcing a radical rethink of how we define "green" production.

This session strips away the hype to reveal the forensic reality of the digital revolution. Our panel explores the tension between AI’s massive energy consumption and its potential to slash physical waste. From the hidden water-cooling costs of the cloud to the carbon-saving power of AI-optimised "Smart Sets," we examine how the industry can manage and improve sustainability throughout the entire AI lifecycle.