We have a power grid problem. Can AI fix it?

We have a power grid problem. Can AI fix it?

From Pioneers of AI by WaitWhat

March 11, 2026 · 36 min

About this episode

Priya Donti discusses the role of AI in addressing climate change and the challenges faced in her research.

There's no shortage of headlines about AI's environmental toll — but what if this technology could also help solve the climate crisis? Priya Donti, MIT Assistant Professor and co-founder of Climate Change AI, believes AI can play a critical role in the fight against climate change, though she's quick to say it's no silver bullet. Donti is using machine learning to tackle some of our most urgent environmental challenges, from optimizing power grids to training the next generation of climate leaders. In this episode, she gets candid about what AI can and can't do, what it's like doing climate research under a hostile Trump administration, and why — even on the precipice of climate disaster — she hasn't lost hope. Learn more about Pioneers of AI: http://pioneersof.ai/ Follow Pioneers of AI on all channels: https://linktr.ee/pioneersofai See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

People in this episode

Guest: Priya Donti

Topics covered

  • AI
  • climate change
  • power grids
  • machine learning
  • environmental challenges

Keywords

  • AI
  • climate crisis
  • power grid optimization
  • machine learning
  • environmental research

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: MIT, Climate Change AI

Places: Trump administration

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