Burning Platforms Carbon Footprints with Ketan Joshi
Nov 17, 2025
Ketan Joshi, a climate writer and activist, discusses the environmental impact of AI, tackling fascinating questions about its energy footprint. He highlights the uncertainties surrounding data center energy demands and compares generative AI's pervasive use to single-use plastics. Ketan critiques Meta's tactics in ad generation and examines the implications of Apple's partnership with Google on AI deployment. He also explores the potential role of Australia in hosting data centers and the challenges ahead in addressing AI emissions at global climate talks.
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Generative AI Fits Advertising Incentives
- Platforms will push generative AI into advertising because it boosts aesthetics and revenue.
- That creates perverse incentives to ignore scams and environmental harms in favor of ad profits.
Mandate Energy Data In AI Impact Assessments
- Require AI impact assessments and supplier declarations that include energy and emissions data.
- Make sustainability metrics part of procurement and impact assessment processes.
Prefer Narrow Models For Specific Tasks
- Limit AI systems to narrow, purpose‑specific datasets to reduce hallucination and energy use.
- Use bespoke models for particular tasks instead of generalized, always‑on giant models.