Science Weekly
Can the climate survive AI’s thirst for energy?
Jul 16, 2024
Energy correspondent Jillian Ambrose and UK technology editor Alex Hern discuss the environmental impact of AI's energy consumption on climate targets. They explore the escalating energy demand of data centers, tech companies' investments in renewable energy, and AI's potential to enhance energy efficiency while addressing government challenges in regulation and promoting sustainability.
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Quick takeaways
- AI's rapid expansion is increasing global energy demand, posing challenges for environmental sustainability.
- Government intervention is crucial to incentivize renewable energy investments and align energy supply with AI's growing demands.
Deep dives
AI's Energy Consumption in Data Centers
AI's expansion, as seen in Google's emissions, has significantly increased energy demands in data centers powering AI systems. Training AI models like chat GPT involves vast data quantities that consume high energy, accounting for a large portion of AI's total energy use. Despite the energy-intensive process, advocates like Bill Gates believe AI investment can aid in addressing the climate crisis.
