Author(s)

Jiaqi Yu, Ruihan Zhou, Oulun Yan, Weiyang Chen

Corresponding Author

Ruihan Zhou

Abstract

Technology is an essential factor influencing the carbon emission intensity of cities, and artificial intelligence (AI) technology provides momentum for the transformation of cities to low-carbonization. Starting from the “dual carbon” goal, we empirically examine the impact, mechanism, and threshold effect of AI technology on the carbon emission intensity of Chinese cities, utilizing the data of 277 prefectural-level cities in China from 2011 to 2021. The study shows that: (1) AI technology can help reduce urban carbon emission intensity; (2) energy use efficiency and green innovation efficiency are two practical paths for AI technology to reduce carbon emission intensity; (3) heterogeneity test shows that AI technology has a more substantial carbon emission reduction effect in the central and western regions, non-provincial capitals, lower digitization levels and re-source-dependent cities; (4) threshold regression shows that the carbon emission reduction effect of AI has a marginal progressive effect on environmental regulation and the threshold effect of AI on carbon emission reduction is a significant factor for the reduction of carbon emission. Environmental regulation shows a marginal increasing trend while a marginal decreasing trend in Internet penetration. We provide a decision-making basis and policy inspiration for using AI technology to realize carbon emission reduction and promote low-carbon transformation of cities.

Keywords

Artificial Intelligence, Carbon Emission Intensity, Energy Use Efficiency, Green Innovation Efficiency, Threshold Effect