The EPA's AI Dilemma: Speed Over Sustainability?

USAFri Jan 02 2026
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The U. S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has been on a mission. It's helping the AI industry grow fast. But there's a problem. The EPA is not using AI to protect the environment. Instead, it's making it easier for companies to build data centers and factories. This is a big shift. The EPA used to focus on protecting people and nature. Now, it's more about helping businesses. The agency is speeding up approvals for new chemicals and air pollution permits. It's all to keep the U. S. competitive in AI. But what about using AI to help the environment? The EPA is using AI for small tasks. Like sorting emails. But it's not using AI to do big things. Like finding pollution or stopping chemical spills.
This is a missed chance. AI can do so much more. It can predict problems before they happen. It can help reduce pollution. But the EPA is not using AI in these ways. There's a way to fix this. The EPA did something similar before. It was called Project XL. Companies could try new ways to protect the environment. If they worked, the companies could keep doing them. A new version of Project XL could work with AI. Companies could use AI to prevent pollution. They could share data with the public. This would help everyone understand the environment better. The EPA needs to change. It should use AI to protect the environment. Not just to help businesses grow. It's time for the EPA to catch up. The future is here. It's time to use AI for good.
https://localnews.ai/article/the-epas-ai-dilemma-speed-over-sustainability-d720e756

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