AI's environmental toll: Can sustainable choices reduce the impact of generative AI?
By
Hidde de Vries
Summary
The article discusses the environmental impact of AI, particularly generative AI, which drives significant increases in electricity use, water consumption, and CO2 emissions. The author presented at a conference on AI in government about making sustainable choices with technology. The piece explores how industry and governments are keen to leverage AI despite its environmental costs, and questions whether greener choices can help reduce our impact. The presentation occurred during a record-breaking heatwave attributed to climate change, adding contextual urgency to the topic.
Source
Key quotes
· 3 pulledThe earth is heating up and AI isn't helping.
It drives major increases in electricity use, water use and CO2 emissions.
Can we make greener choices?
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