Is AI Contributing to Disappearing World of Polar Bears?
- Isabella Phillips
- Feb 15
- 3 min read
Sarmista Kolluru
Edited By Isabella Phillips
Published 2/15/25
An animal we all know and love, the polar bear, is among the animals most threatened by climate change.
The survival of polar bears is completely dependent on Arctic sea ice. They rely on sea ice as platforms to hunt seals, as travel routes across vast distances, and as safe spaces for resting, mating, and raising cubs.
When the ice disappears, polar bears cannot simply relocate without harm. Instead, they are forced onto land, where food is scarce, and survival becomes increasingly difficult.
Melting Sea Ice
The Arctic is warming nearly four times faster than the global average due to a process known as arctic amplification.
As sea ice melts, darker ocean water absorbs more heat, accelerating warming and further ice loss. Since 1979, Arctic sea ice has declined every month of the year, with volume of ice in September shrinking by about 12.5 percent per decade.
As temperatures rise, ice now forms later in autumn and melts earlier in spring because warmer air and ocean temperatures prevent ice from refreezing as quickly and cause it to break apart sooner. This shortens the hunting season polar bears so desperately depend on to build the fat reserves needed for survival.
Polar Bears are Vulnerable
This loss of sea ice has serious physical impacts.
Polar bears get most of their food at the end of spring and the start of summer when the seals are most accessible. However, the earlier ice melts require them to go without food for longer and swim further to find food. There has been evidence of decreased body condition, cub survival rate, litter size, and increased starvation. Climate change and the effects of greenhouse gases on the ice have been cited as the greatest danger to the survival of the polar bear species.
The International Union for the Conservation of Nature has rated the polar bear as “vulnerable,” with a 70% chance that the global population will decrease by over one third in the next three generations. Experts have agreed that the most important action to ensure the survival of the polar bear is to stop the loss of the Arctic ice cap through the reduction of greenhouse gases.
AI's Complex Role
The role of artificial intelligence in this crisis is complex and contradictory.
Pros:
On the one hand, artificial intelligence is contributing indirectly to this crisis. For instance, artificial intelligence is helping in the search and extraction of fossil fuels such as oil and gas.
This is extending the lifespan of the industry, which is contributing to climate change. In addition, artificial intelligence is contributing to climate change as it requires increasing
amounts of energy— energy that is not coming from renewable or nonpolluting sources.
Cons:
On the other hand, artificial intelligence is helping in the conversation between polar bears and the people of the Arctic region. It is being used to help warn towns of approaching polar bears, reducing the chances of conflict between humans and polar bears.
Artificial intelligence is also helping predict future sea ice levels, helping Indigenous hunters, conservationists, and scientists move safely in the Arctic region. These tools help Indigenous hunters travel responsibly and avoid sensitive wildlife areas, allow conservationists to protext polar bear habitats, and enable scientists to study changes in sea ice without disturbing the animals. By reducing dangerous encounters and protecting critical habitats, these technologies indirectly support polar bear survival.
Final Thoughts
Ultimately, the future of polar bears will reflect a global decision. The use of artificial intelligence can either increase the problem of climate change or be part of the solution. However, the future of the species will not be determined by technology alone, but rather by humanity's decision to use technology for good or for ill.
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