In recent years, many Silicon Valley tech firms have pledged to make sustainability a top priority. But as Amazon, Google, and Microsoft develop environmentally friendly operations, oil companies are also using their technology to extract more petrochemicals from the earth. The video below takes an in-depth look at the history of oil extraction and how modern tech companies are risking their reputations by getting involved with the fossil fuel industry.
Questions:
- How does machine learning help tech companies become more sustainable? How does it also help fossil fuel companies become more efficient?
- Do you think public opinion could turn against tech companies if they continue to work with the fossil fuel industry? Why or why not?