Assessing the synergistic effects of artificial intelligence on pollutant and carbon emission mitigation in China
利用系统广义矩估计方法，研究人工智能对中国污染物和二氧化碳排放的协同减排效应，发现AI通过技术进步和产业结构优化间接减排，但生产规模扩大有增排作用，总体抑制效应占主导。
Artificial intelligence (AI) has become a key driver in the latest wave of scientific and technological advancement, and its rapid development, proliferation, and environmental impacts cannot be ignored. China and numerous emerging economies are confronted with the dual challenges of environmental degradation and climate change . Hence, it is imperative to assess whether the advancement of AI can contribute to a synergistic reduction in pollutant and CO 2 emissions. This paper utilizes the system-generalized method of moments (SYS-GMM) to study the synergistic effect of artificial intelligence on mitigating pollutant and carbon emissions . The following three main conclusions are drawn: (1) AI plays a major role in synergistically decreasing pollutant and CO 2 emissions; (2) AI indirectly helps lower pollutant and CO 2 emissions by fostering technological advancements and enhancing industrial structures. Although it contributes to an increase in emissions by expanding production scale, its suppression effect dominates overall; (3) The impact of AI applications is particularly vital in cities with strict environmental controls, especially in the central and eastern regions. Finally, we suggest some policy measures to augment the influence of AI in reducing emissions and attaining sustainable development .