AdvertisementFortescue executive chairman Andrew Forrest has compared politicians who deny global warming to “arsonists wanting to shut down a fire escape”, claiming the science and technology is available to decarbonise the resources industry economically.The FMG boss also warned it would be “naive to extinction” if nations did not collaborate to govern the growth of artificial intelligence.Andrew Forrest speaking at Boao Forum in Perth on Monday.Photo Ross SwanboroughSpeaking at the Boao Forum in Perth on Monday, Forrest said while AI would be vital to the green energy transition, it also has great potential to harm.“AI is just part of nature. Its downside is as big as its upside,” he warned delegates. “Its danger is as big as its reward.Advertisement“Governance for human safety and collaboration between nations is key with AI.“America, China, Australia – everywhere – let’s collaborate on the governance and human safety of AI.“There’s never been a more powerful nor dangerous invention.”Forrest’s comments come less than two weeks after Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced plans to ensure data centre operators paid for new energy projects to power their developments, and after research showed most Australians supported the measure.“We want AI to support and create good jobs, not replace them,” Albanese declared at a speech at Sydney University earlier this month.AdvertisementForrest added his voice to the prime minister’s comments, warning of the “rush for energy” that would come with the advent of AI – “abundant, if possible, green energy, but any damn energy if you can’t get it”.“Such is that rush, that unseemly haste, that dangerous crusade into more global warming,” he said.“If we don’t cool our artificial intelligence factory data centre jets and say, ‘Hold it’.“You’re big enough and ugly enough and powerful enough to make your own energy. That has to be green. To make your own water, that has to be green.Advertisement“Let’s head off that spectre of global warming danger, called data centres and the proliferation of AI tapping into the national grids of everyone, and ask them to stand on their own two very powerful legs.”Forrest also called on greater collaboration between nations to prepare for the green energy transition.“We all know that resources, technology alone, won’t determine who succeeds,” he said.“Prosperity and partnership will belong to those who are prepared to build, those who are prepared to build together.“We must concentrate on skills. We do not subjugate our children’s brains to artificial intelligence.Advertisement“Build their skills, even though there’s an easy way out for academic laziness.“The subjugation of our own intelligence to computers must never happen.”Forrest said the economic and technical solutions to global warming and the green energy transition are available, but questioned if the corporate and political leadership was there to match it.“Don’t ask companies to decarbonise when you get a carbon credit … for $37 a ton, but you get a diesel fuel rebate for nearly $200 a ton,” he said.“Don’t turn around and ask the big end of town to decarbonise when you’re literally paying them $170 a ton … and saying it’s policy which is responsible.Advertisement“We need to lean forward, accept the fact that global warming is upon us.“If you deny, like some politicians have, this is like an arsonist wanting to shut down a fire escape. You are a big part of the problem, but economics are not with you.”Start the day with a summary of the day’s most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter.SaveYou have reached your maximum number of saved items.Remove items from your saved list to add more.ShareLicense this articleMore:Global warmingIron orePerthMichael Philipps is a producer and reporter with WAtoday.AdvertisementAdvertisement