In 2025, AI and climate change, two of the biggest societal disruptions we face, will collide.
summer of 2024 broke the record It marked Earth's hottest day since data collection began, sparking widespread media coverage and public debate. This is also the year when both Microsoft And GoogleTwo major big tech companies that have invested heavily in AI research and development missed their climate targets. Although this also made headlines and sparked outrage, the environmental impacts of AI are still far from common knowledge.
In fact, the current “bigger is better” paradigm of AI – symbolized by tech companies' pursuit of larger, more powerful large language models, which are presented as the solution to every problem – is coming at very significant costs to the environment. Comes along. These range from generating huge amounts of energy to power the data centers that run tools like ChatGate and MidJourney, to the millions of gallons of fresh water that are pumped through these data centers to ensure that they last longer. Don't get hot and tons of rare earth metals are needed to make the hardware they contain.
data centers already use 2 percent electricity globallyIn countries like Ireland, this figure goes up to one-fifth of the electricity produced, prompting the Irish government to make an announcement. effective moratorium on new data centers by 2028. While much of the energy used to power data centers is officially “carbon-neutral”, it relies on mechanisms such as renewable energy credits, which technically offset the emissions from producing this electricity. It is, but it doesn't do that. Don't change the way it is generated.
places like data center street'Virginia is mostly powered by non-renewable energy sources such as natural gasAnd energy providers are delaying the retirement of coal power plants to keep up increased demands Of technologies like AI. Data centers are drawing vast amounts of fresh water from scarce aquifers, pitting local communities against data center providers in various locations. Arizona To spainIn taiwanThe government has allocated precious water resources to chip manufacturing facilities to stay ahead of rising demands instead of using it for local farmers to water their crops amid the worst drought the country has seen in more than a century. Chose to do.
My latest research shows that switching from older standard AI models—trained to perform a single task like question-answering—to new generative models could take a lot of time. 30 times More energy to answer exactly the same set of questions. Tech companies that are adding generative AI models to everything from search engines to text-processing software also aren't disclosing the carbon cost of these changes — we still don't know that during a conversation with ChatGPT or How much energy is used while generating. An image with Google's Gemini.
Most of Big Tech's discourse about the environmental impacts of AI follows two trajectories: Either it's not really an issue (according to Bill Gates), or an energy breakthrough will come and magically fix things (according to). Sam AltmanWe really need more transparency about the environmental impacts of AI through voluntary initiatives AI Energy Star The project I am leading will help users compare the energy efficiency of AI models to make informed decisions. I predict that in 2025, such voluntary initiatives will begin to be implemented through legislation, from national governments to intergovernmental organizations such as the United Nations. In 2025, with more research, public awareness, and regulation, we will finally begin to understand Environmental footprint of AI And take necessary action to reduce it.