Turkey has launched an international initiative aimed at aligning the rapid expansion of artificial-intelligence infrastructure with global climate goals ahead of the COP31 climate summit in Antalya in November, Reuters reported on September 21.
The proposed Antalya Pledge on Artificial Intelligence is being developed with the United Nations International Telecommunication Union. Turkey’s incoming COP31 presidency said a draft would be circulated before the summit. The initiative focuses on the fast-rising electricity demand associated with AI systems and seeks commitments on transparency, clean energy and infrastructure planning.
COP31 President-Designate Murat Kurum said governments should begin setting clearer terms around AI’s energy use and that companies should be transparent about their electricity consumption and power operations with cleaner energy.
Turkey also launched a separate “35x35” initiative calling for electricity to reach 35% of final global energy consumption by 2035 through cleaner power, storage, grid modernisation and electrification of transport, buildings and industry. The COP31 programme is also expected to include a technology and AI day and a portfolio of AI-enabled clean-technology pilot projects involving developers, industry and investors.
The initiative is a policy proposal rather than a binding international agreement at this stage.