How AI is negatively affecting the climate
With the climate crisis getting worse and worse each year, it is valuable to focus in on specific reasons why our planet’s condition is deteriorating. The foremost reason for global warming is usually stated as the burning of fossil fuels in order to generate energy for electricity, manufacturing, and transportation. There are many particular reasons this energy is generated, and one main hidden one is Artificial Intelligence.
AI platforms such as ChatGPT and Claude AI have become increasingly popular throughout the world in the past year or so. Tons of students use these platforms constantly, for small tasks such as solving a math problem, or larger tasks like writing an essay. Using AI is not only harmful to the education and creativity of humans, but it has also proven to be extremely harmful to the environment.
The main reason is, as stated above, it generates tons of energy. Data centers around the world hold the computing systems necessary for AI to be supported, and these centers are continuing to generate more and more energy as the demand for AI has grown. In 2023, Artificial Intelligence data centers generated around 7.4 gigawatts of energy, which was a 55% increase in energy generation from 2022. Similarly, these data centers are projected to use 8% of the United States’ total power, compared to 3% used in 2022. Not only is the energy production growing greatly, but it is also clearly growing rapidly.
Another problematic aspect of these data centers used to support Artificial Intelligence are the water-based cooling systems. The systems can absorb the heat created by components in the centers much more efficiently than cool air, by getting pushed through pipes connected to the server components. The amount of water used is more significant than one might think. Each AI response that is over about 100 words can be equivalent to pouring out one bottle of water, which would have taken about 10-50 responses to do in 2023. Again, the effects are increasing heavily and quickly.
Recognizing the impacts that Artificial Intelligence has on climate change is important, especially considering how little talked about they are. However, AI can also be used productively, as it can provide planning for more eco-friendly architecture and transportation routes, as well as information like predictions about changes in our environment. By limiting unnecessary use of and access to these platforms, we can slowly reduce the harmful effects AI is conditioning onto our planet. Together, we can harness Artificial Intelligence to benefit us and our world by using it intelligently and responsibly.
Resources/Read more:
Data Center Power: Fueling the Digital Revoultion (Data Center Knowledge)
AI Is Accelerating the Loss of Our Scarcest Natural Resource: Water (Forbes)
