In depth: Greening AI: smarter, smaller, stronger

Over the past decade, artificial intelligence has evolved O from being used by only a few in specialized contexts to becoming a cornerstone of modern life. Among its most prominent tools are large language models (LLMs), advanced AI systems trained on vast amounts of text that can generate human-like language. These models now power many of the generative tools people use every day, from chatbots to translation services. A new report, Smarter, Smaller, Stronger: Resource-Efficient Generative AI & the Future of Digital Transformation (2025), published by UNESCO in collaboration with University College London (UCL), highlights that even though using AI can be energy-intensive, simple solutions exist to make it more sustainable.