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July 27, 2026 \u2014 12:41pm<\/p>\n
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Remove items from your saved list<\/a> to add more.<\/p>\n AAA<\/p>\n Fortescue executive chairman Andrew Forrest has compared politicians who deny global warming to \u201carsonists wanting to shut down a fire escape\u201d, claiming the science and technology is available to decarbonise the resources industry economically.<\/p>\n The FMG boss also warned it would be \u201cnaive to extinction\u201d if nations did not collaborate to govern the growth of artificial intelligence.<\/p>\n Speaking 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.<\/p>\n \u201cAI is just part of nature. Its downside is as big as its upside,\u201d he warned delegates. \u201cIts danger is as big as its reward.<\/p>\n \u201cGovernance for human safety and collaboration between nations is key with AI.<\/p>\n \u201cAmerica, China, Australia \u2013 everywhere \u2013 let\u2019s collaborate on the governance and human safety of AI.<\/p>\n \u201cThere\u2019s never been a more powerful nor dangerous invention.\u201d<\/p>\n Forrest\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n \u201cWe want AI to support and create good jobs, not replace them,\u201d Albanese declared at a speech at Sydney University earlier this month.<\/a><\/p>\n Forrest added his voice to the prime minister\u2019s comments, warning of the \u201crush for energy\u201d that would come with the advent of AI \u2013 \u201cabundant, if possible, green energy, but any damn energy if you can\u2019t get it\u201d.<\/p>\n Related Article \u201cSuch is that rush, that unseemly haste, that dangerous crusade into more global warming,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n \u201cIf we don\u2019t cool our artificial intelligence factory data centre jets and say, \u2018Hold it\u2019.<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019re 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.<\/p>\n \u201cLet\u2019s 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.\u201d<\/p>\n Forrest also called on greater collaboration between nations to prepare for the green energy transition.<\/p>\n \u201cWe all know that resources, technology alone, won\u2019t determine who succeeds,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n \u201cProsperity and partnership will belong to those who are prepared to build, those who are prepared to build together.<\/p>\n \u201cWe must concentrate on skills. We do not subjugate our children\u2019s brains to artificial intelligence.<\/p>\n \u201cBuild their skills, even though there\u2019s an easy way out for academic laziness.<\/p>\n \u201cThe subjugation of our own intelligence to computers must never happen.\u201d<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n \u201cDon\u2019t ask companies to decarbonise when you get a carbon credit \u2026 for $37 a ton, but you get a diesel fuel rebate for nearly $200 a ton,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n \u201cDon\u2019t turn around and ask the big end of town to decarbonise when you\u2019re literally paying them $170 a ton \u2026 and saying it\u2019s policy which is responsible.<\/p>\n \u201cWe need to lean forward, accept the fact that global warming is upon us.<\/p>\n \u201cIf 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.\u201d<\/p>\n Start the day with a summary of the day\u2019s most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter<\/a>.<\/p>\n Save<\/p>\n You have reached your maximum number of saved items.<\/p>\n![\"Andrew](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/cac42511df992d92c8ac1e06ff3e63dce59dae84.jpeg\")
Andrew Forrest speaking at Boao Forum in Perth on Monday.Photo Ross Swanborough<\/p>\n![\"BHP,](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/e061edca91e7b30b6d473e666ff912cc1863fd51.jpeg\")
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