Announcement Detail

The Compute Question: AI, Data Centers & Sustainability
Date: September 18, 2026
Time: 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM PST
Location: Virtual
A fast-paced virtual debate exploring whether AI and hyperscale data centers are accelerating the green transition through innovation and clean energy investment, or undermining it through rising infrastructure demands, emissions, and accountability challenges.
Ticket price:
- Free for WCS Corporate Members
- $10 for WCS Individual Members
- $25 for Non-Members
- Interested in becoming a member? Learn more here
- Please note: this event will be recorded.
AI is transforming the way we work, innovate, and approach climate solutions. From grid optimization and emissions tracking to climate modeling, clean technology development, and operational efficiency, AI has the potential to accelerate progress across the sustainability sector.
But the infrastructure behind AI is also raising urgent questions. Hyperscale data centers require significant energy, land, materials, and cooling capacity. As AI adoption grows, so do concerns about electricity demand, grid pressure, emissions, resource use, and the local impacts of rapid infrastructure expansion.
In this 60-minute virtual Sustainability Debate, WCS brings together two teams of experts to examine one of the most important questions facing the green economy:
Are AI and hyperscale data centers accelerating the green transition or undermining it through resource-intensive growth?
Team Acceleration will explore how AI and data centers can support climate solutions, drive clean energy investment, improve efficiency, and help companies and communities make smarter sustainability decisions.
Team Accountability will examine the risks of unchecked growth, including rising energy demand, emissions, infrastructure strain, hardware impacts, and the need for stronger transparency, governance, and community oversight.
This is a fast-paced, thoughtful debate designed to move beyond hype and fear. Attendees will hear competing perspectives, submit questions, participate in live polls, and consider the guardrails needed to ensure AI infrastructure supports, rather than slows, the transition to a more sustainable future.
Designed for sustainability, cleantech, ESG, technology, energy, policy, and corporate responsibility professionals, this virtual event will offer a timely and nuanced conversation about innovation, accountability, and the true cost of compute.
EVENT SPONSORSHIPS AVAILABLE! Please email us at info@womencleantechsustainability.org if you have any questions.
