
As the computational demand for Large Language Models (LLMs) surges, minimizing the carbon footprint of inference has become a critical challenge. While classical schedulers optimize for throughput, they often neglect the spatial and temporal variance of grid carbon intensity. This paper presents a Hybrid Quantum-Classical (HQC) framework utilizing the Quantum Approximate Optimization Algorithm (QAOA) to solve the layer-to-hardware mapping problem with the explicit objective of minimizing gCO$_2$e emissions. We benchmark our QAOA optimizer against classical Brute Force and Genetic Algorithms across static, dynamic, and noisy environments. Our results demonstrate that QAOA achieves near-perfect optimality (gap<10−5) and successfully adapts to 24-hour grid fluctuations, realizing a simulated carbon saving of 23.76 gCO$_2$e. However, the study also reveals a "Simulation Wall" at N=15 layers, where classical simulation of the quantum circuit becomes computationally prohibitive, whereas Genetic Algorithms maintain speed at the cost of theoretical guarantees. We conclude that QAOA represents a scalable, robust pathway for green AI, provided the optimizer is migrated from simulation to physical Quantum Processing Units (QPUs).
Quantum Computing, QAOA, Green AI, Carbon Awareness, Large Language Models, Scheduling, Hybrid Quantum-Classical Computing, Energy Efficiency, Computer Science, Quantum Physics, Artificial Intelligence, Environmental Science, Optimization, Data Centers, Sustainable Computing
Quantum Computing, QAOA, Green AI, Carbon Awareness, Large Language Models, Scheduling, Hybrid Quantum-Classical Computing, Energy Efficiency, Computer Science, Quantum Physics, Artificial Intelligence, Environmental Science, Optimization, Data Centers, Sustainable Computing
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