Semiconductors, AI, and Sustainability

This chapter examines the convergence of global decarbonization and the exponential growth of computation, identifying the “Silicon Ceiling” as a fundamental bottleneck to modern progress. To address this, the work proposes a three-layered innovation framework: the Physical Layer, transitioning from silicon to Wide Bandgap semiconductors like Silicon Carbide and Gallium Nitride; the Cognitive Layer, where Artificial Intelligence acts as an active orchestrator of energy efficiency; and the Systemic Layer, which integrates these technologies into the metabolic ecosystem of the Smart City. By analyzing properties such as superior thermal conductivity and higher breakdown voltages, the text demonstrates how WBG materials enable the electrification of transport and hyperscale data centers. Furthermore, it explores how AI-driven predictive control and digital twins transform passive infrastructure into adaptive, resilient systems. The chapter concludes that sustainability in the digital era depends on the co-evolution of energy, cognition, and urban infrastructure.