Today in Focus Why is AI so thirsty?
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Jan 23, 2025 
Helena Horton, an Environment reporter at The Guardian, dives into the intricate balance between AI technology and environmental sustainability. She explores how AI can help combat climate change while highlighting the environmental toll of data centers, particularly in water-stressed areas. Helena discusses the urgent need for responsible AI practices amid government plans to expand AI in the public sector. The conversation weaves personal success stories with cautionary tales, emphasizing the importance of innovative solutions for a sustainable technological future.
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AI in Daily Life
- A user describes integrating AI into daily life, from recipes to identifying carvings on furniture.
- They used AI for practical tasks like fixing a cracked bathroom sink, demonstrating AI's versatility.
Environmental Concerns of AI
- Helena Horton expresses environmental concerns regarding AI's energy consumption.
- She avoids using AI due to its high energy footprint compared to traditional search engines.
AI's Hidden Costs
- AI's ease of use masks its complex and environmentally intensive backend processes.
- Data centers powering AI consume significantly more energy than those used for other search engines.