Do you think AI will help save the planet? Or destroy it?
No, I am not talking about killer robots or romantic love affairs with an Alexa.
I am talking about the environmental impact of AI programs.
ChatGPT requests consume 10x the electricity of a Google Search (according to the IEA, or International Energy Agency).
Okay, but surely that’s not that much electricity?
Think again.
9 billion searches daily on ChatGPT requires almost 10 TWh of additional electricity per year, equivalent to about half the energy Scotland uses annually.
And where does that electricity come from? Primarily fossil fuels.
😵💫
The IEA estimates that the rise of AI could see data centres used for AI training account for nearly 35% of Ireland's energy use by 2026.
Water is also needed to build these data centres and cool the electronic components housing the data. One estimate says that globally, AI infrastructure may soon consume 6x more water than the country of Denmark.
So what’s the good news?😕
(Don't worry, this IS good news.)
AI has been invaluable for predicting climate disasters and helping governments compile unbiased data to make more climate-friendly decisions.
Over 190 countries have also agreed on a general ethical use of AI, which includes monitoring its environmental impact.
Better still, there are calls for data centres to prioritise investing in renewable energy to power their servers and create a more efficient algorithm for AI to reduce their energy demands.
But the use of AI in our everyday lives is growing rapidly, and love it or hate it, it’s not slowing down.
How do you feel about our continued use of AI and it's impact?
Me? I am of a few minds about it.
Technology will not stop developing, and we shouldn't stifle our knowledge.
A friend of mine mentioned how the transition from horses to cars also had a HUGE impact on the environment - and continue to be. But with this new form of transport came hybrid cars, electric cars, and regulations that help reduce our impact with them.
Buuuuuttttttttt...
I'm scared! I don't like the idea of me using ChatGPT so easily being something that impacts the environment so heavily.
Climate change is real. It's here. And we need to be reducing our impact RIGHT NOW.
How often do you use AI? Will that change now that you know more about it's impact?
Let me know in the comments below! 👇
Comments