A recent study by the Yale School of Environment has shed light on the environmental impact of artificial intelligence (AI), challenging the widely held belief that AI can help reduce humanity’s environmental footprint. The study reveals that AI technology’s energy use, particularly in terms of water and electricity consumption, poses a significant threat to the environment.
According to the study, the environmental footprint of AI is large and growing, with dire consequences if left unregulated. Jeremy Tamanini, founder of Dual Citizen, warns that AI’s carbon footprint could have severe impacts on sustainability and emission reduction targets if not addressed.
One of the most pressing environmental concerns highlighted in the study is the excessive water consumption associated with AI. For example, it takes around half a litre of water for 10 to 50 responses from ChatGPT-3. Tech giants like Google and Microsoft consume millions of litres of fresh water in running their AI platforms, further exacerbating the water scarcity issue.
Moreover, AI technology is also responsible for direct carbon emissions from non-renewable energy sources, adding to its environmental impact. Despite these concerns, there is a lack of comprehensive data on AI’s overall environmental impact, making it challenging to develop actionable tactics to regulate its energy use.
Efforts are underway to promote sustainable AI, with proposals for more transparency and access to information on AI’s energy impact. The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) and the International Organisation for Standardization (ISO) are set to release international standards for sustainability in AI, aiming to make the environmental footprint of AI more visible to end users.
As the world grapples with the environmental challenges posed by AI technology, the need for regulation and sustainable practices becomes increasingly urgent. The future of AI’s role in the global economy will depend on how regulators and system creators address and limit its environmental footprint.