Artificial intelligence (AI) has been a huge topic of debate since the big release of ChatGPT in 2022. Since then, AI has been expanding at a rapidly fast pace and will continue to expand for as long as we let it. From AI responses and writing to photos, videos and even AI inclusions within social media such as Meta (Facebook’s AI) and Gronk (X’s AI), AI has become a part of the world we now know. The big question is, what are the environmental repercussions of this recent technology and how will it affect our world?
What is AI? AI stands for artificial intelligence, it refers to an operated computer system that can perform tasks typically performed by humans such as, learning, reasoning, language understanding and problem solving. AI has expanded as far as being able to create content as well. AI in the modern day is used for tasks such as fraud detection, translations, generative text, photos and videos, self-driving features on cars, social media algorithms, pattern and data analysis within the work force and so much more. But with so much content to overlook where does AI get its information?
Data from AI is stored within data centers all around the world, these are physical buildings and warehouses filled with computers specifically designed to store and hold data. This data extends from more than just AI, it is a network of computer and storage resources that houses IT infrastructure. All kinds of data are stored within these buildings and are used primarily for big corporations to be able to run and process information. These data centers use electricity to run much like any electronic device and consumed 27,000 terawatt-hours in 2022 (The year ChatGPT was released). The international Energy Agency (IEA) expects this to rapidly increase over the next two years. While these data centers are getting more energy efficient the hype of AI is setting this goal back. These data centers also release CO2 emissions such as the company Alphabet (parent company of google) whose CO2 emissions have increased by 48 percent since 2019. But energy isn’t all of it, think of your home computers or school issued laptops, if you have too much running or too many tabs open your computer overheats and while smaller systems such as your laptop can cool itself down with built in fans these large data centers require something a bit different to get themselves cooled down. Data centers use liquid coolers to cool down the components, this means that not only electricity, but water usage is at an all-time high within these centers. According to an article written by Yale Environment 360 a person who uses ChatGPT 10-50 times causes these data centers to use half a liter of water meaning that millions of users create hundreds of millions of gallons of water just to cool down these centers, and that is only for the AI usage.
AI is not completely destroying the planet though as it can have a potentially positive impact on the environment. For example, AI can be used to improve energy consumption and reduce overall waste. AI is trained to analyze data and therefore can analyze data from smart grids and refine our energy consumption by decreasing the need for fossil fuel-based energy. This would lead to a decrease in greenhouse gas emissions and help the effects of climate change. AI can also help in areas like agriculture, forestry, and transportation. As an example, AI can help farmers reduce the use of fertilizers and pesticides which would lead to healthier crops. AI can also help with forestry management by making sure forests are sustainably managed with minor impact on the ecosystems surrounding them. When it comes to fuel consumption AI can help perfect routes leading to lower carbon emissions. But despite the positive impacts AI is using far more energy and water to produce these outcomes than we would be getting out of these solutions.
Overall, AI has far more negative impacts than positive ones when it comes to environmental issues. So next time you think of using AI for your late English essay or those funny photos to trick your grandma into thinking Danny Devito is sitting in her living room, think about how much energy and water consumption is being used and maybe take the F on the assignment or spare your grandmother. AI’s effects on the planet matter far more for our future and current generations than one failed assignment does.