Novara Media Downstream: Exposing The True Costs of AI w/ Karen Hao
30 snips
Jul 1, 2025 
Karen Hao, a tech reporter and author of 'Empire of AI', delves into the hidden costs of the AI industry. She explores the traumatic realities of content moderation and draws striking parallels between OpenAI's evolution and historical entities like the British East India Company. Hao discusses the ethical dilemmas faced by engineers turned advocates, emphasizing the need for transparency. The conversation touches on grassroots activism, encouraging communities to engage with major tech companies and democratize AI resources for societal benefits.
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AI: A Broad Suitcase Word
- AI is a suitcase word including many different technologies with different purposes and scales.
- Siri and ChatGPT operate very differently but both fall under the broad AI umbrella.
Hidden Environmental Costs of AI
- AI development has massive resource consumption, especially in energy and water.
- Many use cases don't justify the environmental costs of large-scale models like ChatGPT.
AI's Fossil Fuel Appetite
- AI data centers heavily rely on fossil fuels, extending coal plants and using methane gas turbines.
- This accelerates climate and public health crises in local communities.
