The impact of artificial intelligence on the energy transition: evidence from Chinese cities

IF 4.8 1区经济学 Q1 DEVELOPMENT STUDIES

World Development Pub Date : 2025-07-17 DOI:10.1016/j.worlddev.2025.107126

Juan Xu , Yu Chen , Nan Yang , Shuai Shao

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Abstract

Climate change and energy issues have important implications for the future of the planet. The energy transition plays a vital role in addressing the global energy and climate crisis, while artificial intelligence (AI) is a core driver of this transition. On the basis of data from 262 Chinese cities between 2006 and 2019, a comprehensive city-level index for AI is constructed, and the impacts of AI on the energy transition and the corresponding mechanism are explored. The results suggest that AI significantly promotes the energy transition, and the promotion effect is greater in resource-based cities and central and eastern cities at the city level, as well as in strategic emerging industries and capital-intensive industries at the industry level. Regarding the influence mechanism, AI development can improve the energy transition by promoting green technology innovation and digital transformation. However, importantly, at higher levels of AI development, risks such as the energy rebound effect could arise. In this case, excessive investment and use of electricity may counteract the increase in the energy transition. Thus, while acknowledging AI’s pivotal role in the energy transition, it is equally critical to be aware of potential risks.

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人工智能对能源转型的影响：来自中国城市的证据

气候变化和能源问题对地球的未来有着重要的影响。能源转型在应对全球能源和气候危机中发挥着至关重要的作用，而人工智能是这一转型的核心驱动力。基于2006 - 2019年中国262个城市的数据，构建人工智能综合城市级指数，探讨人工智能对能源转型的影响及其作用机制。研究结果表明，人工智能对能源转型的促进作用显著，且在城市层面对资源型城市和中东部城市的促进作用更大，在产业层面对战略性新兴产业和资本密集型产业的促进作用更大。在影响机制上，人工智能的发展可以通过促进绿色技术创新和数字化转型来改善能源转型。然而，重要的是，在人工智能发展的更高水平上，可能会出现能量反弹效应等风险。在这种情况下，过度的投资和用电可能会抵消能源转型的增加。因此，在承认人工智能在能源转型中的关键作用的同时，意识到潜在风险也同样至关重要。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

World Development Multiple-

CiteScore

12.70

自引率

5.80%

发文量

320

期刊介绍： World Development is a multi-disciplinary monthly journal of development studies. It seeks to explore ways of improving standards of living, and the human condition generally, by examining potential solutions to problems such as: poverty, unemployment, malnutrition, disease, lack of shelter, environmental degradation, inadequate scientific and technological resources, trade and payments imbalances, international debt, gender and ethnic discrimination, militarism and civil conflict, and lack of popular participation in economic and political life. Contributions offer constructive ideas and analysis, and highlight the lessons to be learned from the experiences of different nations, societies, and economies.