Andy Masley

This week, blogger Andy Masley joins to discuss Australia's groundbreaking social media ban for kids under 16. He highlights the implications for child safety and whether other countries might follow suit. Masley also tackles the myth surrounding AI's water use, arguing that its footprint is often exaggerated compared to agriculture's demands. He emphasizes that electricity consumption poses a greater environmental threat. The conversation wraps with a look back at memorable moments from the year's biggest tech stories.

Join Andy Masley, Director of Effective Altruism and a savvy analyst on AI resource use, as he busts myths surrounding AI's energy and water demands. He shares eye-opening comparisons, like how a single ChatGPT query uses about as much energy as running a microwave for one second. Masley emphasizes that AI’s footprint is smaller than many believe, highlighting that it can even reduce overall emissions. He also tackles misconceptions about water use, illustrating how much less is consumed than rumored, making a strong case for AI's potential environmental benefits.

Andy Masley, Director of Effective Altruism DC and a former physics teacher, joins the discussion to debunk common myths surrounding AI's environmental impact. He reveals a staggering 4,500x error in a bestselling book regarding a data center's water usage. They explore how many AI water usage claims are misleading and emphasize that using AI tools has a minimal environmental footprint. Andy argues for focusing on systemic issues like data center efficiency and suggests that AI could ultimately help mitigate climate change.