Kolkata: Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming industries and professions at lightning speed, yet its environmental costs are often overlooked. Training massive AI models consumes vast energy and generates high carbon emissions, sparking global conversations about the urgent need for “Green AI” — an energy-efficient, inclusive, and socially responsible approach to artificial intelligence.
In India, the call for Green AI is gaining momentum, with Kolkata emerging as a significant hub. Professor Prasenjit Majumder, alumnus of Jadavpur University and University College Dublin, and a former researcher at the Indian Statistical Institute, has been championing this movement. His work emphasizes sustainability, accessibility, and creating meaningful employment for AI-skilled youth.
“Red AI, powered by large cloud systems, consumes enormous energy. Green AI, by contrast, leverages model compression, distillation, and Edge AI to cut energy use while maintaining performance,” said Professor Majumder, stressing the need for eco-friendly AI adoption across healthcare, governance, and industry.
Kolkata as a Green AI Hub
GreenAI Services Pvt. Ltd., headquartered in Minto Park, Kolkata, is pioneering efforts to create a Green AI-friendly ecosystem. Speaking at a recent event, Managing Director Subrata Mitra highlighted the city’s advantages: “Kolkata offers abundant technical talent, strong academic institutions, and affordable infrastructure, making it an ideal environment to nurture energy-efficient and socially responsible AI innovation.”
The company is developing practical solutions based on quantization, distillation, and Edge AI deployment while generating skilled employment and building awareness.
Exploring Green AI Through Panel Discussions
Two key panel discussions recently highlighted Green AI principles:
- “Green vs. Red AI: Ethics, Law, and Public Good” – examined AI’s role in law, healthcare, heavy industries, and academia’s responsibility in shaping policy.
- “Campus to Corporate: Building the Next Generation of Sustainable AI Leaders” – explored AI literacy, Edge AI adoption, regulatory frameworks, and embedding sustainability into career development.
Inclusive AI for Local Communities
Beyond environmental sustainability, GreenAI Services is committed to inclusivity. By developing AI tools in Bengali and other Indian languages, the company ensures accessibility for non-English-speaking and underprivileged communities. These tools run on mobile phones and WhatsApp, enabling users to engage in their own language across education, legal, and regulatory services.
A Philosophy Beyond Technology
GreenAI Services positions itself not just as a company but as a philosophy — demonstrating that AI can fuel social progress while safeguarding the environment. With regional language tools, community-driven projects, and energy-conscious practices, it is proving that innovation and responsibility can go hand in hand.
Concluding the session, Professor Majumder said: “GreenAI Services represents a commitment to technology that is both intelligent and responsible. Our mission is to show that AI can benefit society without worsening environmental challenges — with India leading the way in this global movement.”
