Who knew!!!
As our use of artificial intelligence (AI) grows exponentially, researchers and scientists are beginning to sound the alarm about the potential environmental effects linked to AI.
According to a recent article posted to the website of Scientific American magazine, scientists are already estimating that the projected global use of AI by the year 2027 could consume as much electricity as all of the Netherlands. Further, a separate study published in Nature Computational Science predicts that generative AI applications could add between 1.2-5 million metric tons of electronic waste worldwide by the year 2030.
The Scientific American article provides details on some of the stark consequences associated with the use of generative AI. For example, creating two separate images using AI-generative technology can consume as much energy as charging a smartphone. And a single exchange with ChatGPT can lift the temperature of the physical server generating the exchange enough to require the equivalent of a bottle of water to bring the temperature back to a normal level.
To help alleviate the potential environmental impact linked to the use of AI, the article identifies some potential solutions to help minimize the environmental impact of the use of AI. The list includes more efficient chip and AI algorithm design, more regular maintenance and updating of data servers, and finding more ways to refurbish or reuse obsolete hardware components. Researchers project that implementing these and other strategies could reduce e-waste associated with AI by as much as 86%.
The Scientific American article discussing the potential environmental consequences of the use of AI is available at https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/generative-ai-could-generate-millions-more-tons-of-e-waste-by-2030/.
The study published in Nature Computational Science referenced in the Scientific American article is available at https://www.nature.com/articles/s43588-024-00726-0.
