Using provincial panel data of China from 2011 to 2022, this study constructs an evaluation index system to measure regional AI development and empirically examines its nonlinear impact on regional pollution emissions. The findings show the following: there is a significant U-shaped relationship between AI development and regional pollution emissions, with the effect transmitted through an inverted U-shaped relationship with green technology innovation and energy efficiency. Heterogeneity analysis further shows that the U-shaped relationship is only pronounced in regions southeast of the “Hu Huanyong Line”. It exhibits greater marginal effects in areas with lower levels of marketization. This study provides useful references for effectively empowering regional green development through AI.