AI is transforming India’s classrooms and workplaces, but can we afford to ignore its environmental costs?

He is an alumnus of Jadavpur University and University College Dublin, Ireland. He, subsequently, spent approximately a decade at the prestigious Indian Statistical Institute (ISI) as a researcher in AI. Professor Prasenjit Majumder has contributed to multiple AI tools that prioritise sustainability, accessibility, and social good.

His current priorities include raising awareness of Green AI, fostering local research talent, and creating meaningful employment opportunities for AI-skilled youth. Together with Subrata Mitra, (who had served Big Four firms and other leading companies in various companies in various capacities), he co-founded Kolkata-headquartered tech startup- GreenAI Services, generating employment for the region.

Speaking to Bizz Buzz, Prof Prasenjit Majumder, Founder-Executive Director & Principal Scientist, GreenAI Services Pvt Ltd, delves at length on wide ranging issues including how AI is reshaping industries, significance of GreenAI, energy consumption aspects of GreenAI and RedAI, scalability aspects of GreenAI, so on and so forth

If I may start by asking you what is GreenAI?

GreenAI a philosophy — proving that AI can drive social progress while protecting the environment.

Through regional language tools and community-focused projects, it shows how AI can be inclusive, efficient, and sustainable. Its mission is clear: innovation and environmental responsibility can go hand in hand, with India leading the way in the global Green AI movement.

So what does GreenAI Services do exactly?

Green AI Services is also not just a company but a philosophy. Green AI Services represents a commitment to technology that is both intelligent and responsible.

By integrating energy-efficient AI practices, regional accessibility, and human-centric design, we aim to demonstrate that AI can benefit society without exacerbating environmental challenges.

In short, Green AI Services Pvt Ltd is a leader in Artificial Intelligence, dedicated to developing innovative solutions that drive transformation across industries. We specialise in computer vision, chatbot implementation, and AI in education, delivering state-of-the-art technology that enhances business efficiency and user experiences.

Have you already started your operations? What are you currently working on?

Kolkata-headquartered tech startup Green AI Services Pvt Ltd seems well set to come up as a crusader against Red AI. The maiden piloting of the company, which is basically a legal chatbot christened as VidhiLab is already underway.

The Version 1.0 and Version 2.0 will be ready by January, 2026, while the entire thing will be ready by the end of Q4, said Subrata Mitra, Managing Director, GreenAI Services Pvt Ltd.

VidhiLab is targetted at all stakeholders of the Indian judicial system, including law students, faculty and practicing lawyers. At present they are covering seven Indian languages and eventually it will be covering 22 Indian languages.

The whole idea is to promote and bring in Green AI instead of Red AI.

At present, Green AI Services is making AI accessible to non-English-speaking and underprivileged communities by training tools in Bengali and other Indian languages.

From education to legal and regulatory services, these solutions work easily on mobile phones or WhatsApp, allowing users to type or speak in their own language. This inclusive approach supports local learning and development while reducing reliance on costly foreign AI systems.

Green AI portfolio currently includes Legal Chatbot (RAG), which offers multi modal advisory on Indian law (tenancy, labour) via WhatsApp & Web, AI for compliance offers consulting on regulatory mapping and governance for legal and corporate sectors.

Under EduAI Suite, it offers Bilingual AI textbooks, adaptive chatbots and interactive learning tools, then under Summariser + QA, it converts documents into interactive summaries and quizzes for educators and students and under Digital Archive Engine, it digitises and narrates archival content for libraries, museums, and universities.

Then there is compliance automation platform for generating ESG reports and risk heatmaps and Compliance Consulting, which offers expertise in ESG automation and regulatory frameworks for pharma, steel, and finance.

So when one says something like: Red AI vs Green AI, what does that actually mean?

Much of the AI technology currently deployed in industries can be classified as “Red AI,” characterised by high energy demands and substantial environmental cost.

By contrast, “Green AI” seeks to optimise computational efficiency, reduce environmental impact, and make AI more accessible and inclusive. Globally, a small community of technologists has pioneered this approach, yet adoption in India is still emerging, he explains.

There are some scientists who have contributed (and are still contributing) to multiple AI tools that prioritise sustainability, accessibility, and social good. Their current priorities include raising awareness of Green AI, fostering local research talent, and creating meaningful employment opportunities for AI-skilled youth.

What about the energy consumption aspects of AI? What do you have to say about that?

Red AI, powered by large cloud systems, consumes vast energy and emits high levels of carbon dioxide. Green AI, on the other hand, uses methods like model compression, distillation, and Edge AI to cut energy use while maintaining performance.

As AI spreads into healthcare, industry, and governance, adopting these sustainable practices is becoming essential.

How do you see AI reshaping industries?

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is reshaping industries, professions, and everyday life. From conversational tools to generative systems, AI now performs in minutes what once took thousands of human hours.

Academic institutions across India are embedding AI into engineering, law, commerce, arts, and more, making AI literacy a workplace necessity.

Yet, while AI’s potential is celebrated, its environmental and social costs are often overlooked. Training large models demands massive computational power, driving energy use and greenhouse gas emissions.

This has sparked the call for “Green AI”, a sustainable approach that promotes energy-efficient, inclusive, and socially responsible AI development.

Why have you chosen Kolkata as the hub of Green AI Services?

Kolkata offers abundant technical talent, strong academic institutions, and affordable infrastructure, making it an ideal environment to nurture energy-efficient and socially responsible AI innovation.

Mind you that the focus is on practical techniques such as model quantisation, distillation, and Edge AI deployment, which demonstrate that advanced AI can be environmentally sustainable and accessible to a wide range of users.

So, in short, what is the need of the hour now?

Very pertinent question. The need of the hour is to focus on translating Green AI philosophy into actionable products and services while building awareness locally and creating skilled employment opportunities.