AI is an energy hog. This is what it means for climate change.

Overview

Authors: Casey Crownhart

Publication Date: 23 May 2024

Link: https://www.technologyreview.com/2024/05/23/1092777/ai-is-an-energy-hog-this-is-what-it-means-for-climate-change

Keywords: AI energy consumption, climate change, carbon emissions, sustainability, large AI models, green AI, environmental impact

Type: News

Summary

AI systems, particularly large models, require immense computational power, making them significant energy consumers. This high energy demand contributes to increased carbon emissions, excessive freshwater usage, and strain on electricity grids, raising concerns about AI's environmental impact. As the AI industry grows, balancing innovation with sustainability becomes a critical challenge to mitigate climate change.