The ugly truth behind ChatGPT: AI is guzzling resources at planet-eating rates | Mariana Mazzucato
www.theguardian.com
Big tech is playing its part in reaching net zero targets, but its vast new datacentres are run at huge cost to the environment, says economics professor Mariana Mazzucato

Despite its name, the infrastructure used by the “cloud” accounts for more global greenhouse emissions than commercial flights. In 2018, for instance, the 5bn YouTube hits for the viral song Despacito used the same amount of energy it would take to heat 40,000 US homes annually.

Large language models such as ChatGPT are some of the most energy-guzzling technologies of all. Research suggests, for instance, that about 700,000 litres of water could have been used to cool the machines that trained ChatGPT-3 at Microsoft’s data facilities.

Additionally, as these companies aim to reduce their reliance on fossil fuels, they may opt to base their datacentres in regions with cheaper electricity, such as the southern US, potentially exacerbating water consumption issues in drier parts of the world.

Furthermore, while minerals such as lithium and cobalt are most commonly associated with batteries in the motor sector, they are also crucial for the batteries used in datacentres. The extraction process often involves significant water usage and can lead to pollution, undermining water security. The extraction of these minerals are also often linked to human rights violations and poor labour standards. Trying to achieve one climate goal of limiting our dependence on fossil fuels can compromise another goal, of ensuring everyone has a safe and accessible water supply.

Moreover, when significant energy resources are allocated to tech-related endeavours, it can lead to energy shortages for essential needs such as residential power supply. Recent data from the UK shows that the country’s outdated electricity network is holding back affordable housing projects.

In other words, policy needs to be designed not to pick sectors or technologies as “winners”, but to pick the willing by providing support that is conditional on companies moving in the right direction. Making disclosure of environmental practices and impacts a condition for government support could ensure greater transparency and accountability.

  • Krauerking@lemy.lolEnglish
    4·
    6 months ago

    I’m lucky enough to be from a country with a relatively stable fiat currency,

    Oh my God that’s hilarious that you are just making up a strawman of it being helpful for reasons you don’t even use.

    What a weird libertarian crypto shill perspective that is so absolutely unhelpful for anyone.

    • AIhasUse@lemmy.worldEnglish
      2·
      6 months ago

      Just so you know, you are entirely misunderstanding what the term “strawman” is used to refer to. In general, it will make you at least appear to be intelligent if you use words in the proper context.

      https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Straw_man

      I didn’t set up any opposing point of view to argue with. No matter what your view on this issue is, that simply isn’t what I’ve done in this situation.

      Despite the fact that we are on different sides of an issue, I was still able to help you with something that may prevent you from looking stupid in the future. See how that works? Someone doing something to help someone other than themself.

      • Krauerking@lemy.lolEnglish
        3·
        6 months ago

        Nah.
        You created your own fake argument for crypto currency despite not using it that way and not being the conversation when it’s about energy use.

        You built your own strawman. Of an imaginary person that is benefiting in a way that makes you feel better.

        You are also condescending. It doesn’t make you right in an argument it makes you self assured and self serving. Looks like I was helpful too.

        • AIhasUse@lemmy.worldEnglish
          1·
          6 months ago

          They are not imaginary. There are millions of them. I’ve met many of them, and so can you if you ever decide that people from poorer countries are worth your time.

          And again, that simply isn’t what a strawman is. Read the link. Everything else aside, you are not using that word in the way people use it. It is as if you are insisting French people say “bone apple tea” before they eat, and then you are calling my condescending for letting you know that you misheard it. I understand it can be hard to admit when you were mistaken, but quite frankly, it will end up causing less harm to your ego in the long run if you do.

          • Krauerking@lemy.lolEnglish
            4·
            6 months ago

            You are just full of slightly wrong information aren’t you.

            That is what a straw man is. It’s an argument that you make up for the purpose of having an easy win. You even keep making emotional attacks to belittle your opponent. You are making Ad Hominem attacks to make me seem completely out of touch with poor people when I am one but you don’t know cause you didn’t ask and assumed.

            Literally an example is getting bribed and buying a dog and when people complain about the bribe you say people don’t like dogs but you do.

            “Crypto is hurting the planet.”

            Well actually it’s helping poor people that I am not one of but are totally aided by this.

            Also a “Bone Apple Tea” is when someone says something like “as the Japanese say Sorry-naw-ra” you are wrong goodbye.

            • AIhasUse@lemmy.worldEnglish
              1·
              6 months ago

              I understand that Bone Apple Tea is a different type of mistake then what you are making. I was just pointing out that you were misunderstanding something, and when someone corrects you, you get defensive instead of trying to learn.

              Someone said crypto has no use, I pointed out that for millions of people, it does have a use. You may not like this fact, but that doesn’t make the response invalid.