Paresh Dave

(Reuters) – Alphabet NASDAQ: Google Inc. cut down fuel usage and traffic delays in Israel at 4 locations using artificial intelligence. It optimizes signal lights to reduce congestion and then plans to use the technology in Rio de Janeiro.

Google has a number of new software projects to address climate change, including the early-phase research program. Some employees https://medium.com/@googworkersac/ruth-porat-497bbb841b52 as well as advocacy groups have called on the company, the world’s third-most valuable, to more urgently use its influence to combat the crisis.

Google does not have to address criticisms of its selling technology to oil companies, nor do they fund legislators that deny global heating. But it has made sustainability features a priority.

Google is planning to offer Nest thermostat customers the ability to purchase renewable energy credits worth $10 per month. These credits will be used to offset the emissions of heating and cooling. The credit will be sourced from Texas projects such as Roseland Solar or Bethel Wind Farm. Google stated that the majority of funds would go towards credit purchases, as well as utility-bill payments costs. However, it did not elaborate on what the rest will be used for.

Nest customers can soon automatically switch heating and cooling from times of lower energy to save money in the United States.

Search results now include new informational panels that show the emissions and other environmental ratings for flights worldwide and domestic cars and appliances. English, Spanish, and French searches for “climate change”, beginning this month, will include explanations from United Nations.

Rio de Janeiro’s municipality traffic authority has expressed its high expectations for an AI that can better manage traffic signals changes based on preliminary results from Israel’s Haifa, Beer-Sheva and Israel. According to it, the system must be implemented within months and locations will soon be announced.

Aleksandar Stevanovic is an associate professor of civil engineering and environmental engineering at University of Pittsburgh. He said that simulations have shown AI can smoothen traffic flow. However, he was unsure if a technology company lacking traffic engineering knowledge could actually bring this software to life.

He said, “Every year someone claims we can do miracles.”