Everyone talks about Artificial Intelligence (AI). But do you know how much it takes to develop it? Guess what! It’s not only about writing codes and making smart machines. In a recent report, Google showcased the environmental cost of AI development. To put it simply, it takes a lot to create the AI we use in our phones, and it’s causing damage to our planet. Want to know more? Let’s dive in!
Understanding the Basics
Developing AI needs a lot of energy, and this energy comes from burning fuels which pollutes our environment. The high-performance computers required for AI development run around the clock, eating up massive amounts of power.
Google’s Environmental Report
Google’s recent report unveils how AI is leaving adverse impacts on earth. The tech giant shed light on how machine learning, a critical branch of AI, contributes to climate change.
The energy-hungry processors used in AI development consume tons of electricity. And sadly, a considerable amount of this electricity is derived from fossil fuels. The problem doesn’t end there. These processors also generate loads of heat, which requires air conditioning to cool down. More energy needed, right?
The Role of Machine Learning
Machine learning involves teaching computers to learn from data and improve without being explicitly programmed. It’s a labor-intensive process that needs high-performance computing systems. These gigantic systems use huge volumes of electricity.
Some systems even use as much electricity as five average U.S households in a year. You didn’t see that coming, did you? Such high consumption contributes a great deal to carbon emissions leading to climate change.
Taking Steps Towards Change
But hey, it’s not all doom and gloom! Google has acknowledged the issue and is taking steps to rectify it. Google is now powering all of its data centers (where these high-performance computers are located) with renewable energy.
Besides, Google is also optimizing its machine learning models to be less energy-intensive. This approach will not only tackle energy waste but also makes the algorithms faster and better.
Also, remember how we talked about the excess heat generated by these processors? Google has figured out innovative ways to use it too. The wasted heat is now being used to warm up their buildings and the surplus power is sent back to grids.
Google’s Initiative – Carbon Intelligent Computing
Google has also introduced Carbon Intelligent Computing. It’s a revolutionary platform that moves computational tasks to times when low-carbon power sources, like wind and solar, are most abundant. Isn’t it a smart way to cut down on fossil fuel dependency?
Conclusion
We’re all thrilled by AI’s infinite possibilities and the conveniences they bring to our lives. However, understanding the environmental impact of AI development is just as important.
Google’s report is a wake-up call for the tech world. It not only highlights the dark side of AI but also pushes towards finding sustainable solutions.
In the end, it’s not about stopping advancement, but about moving forward responsibly. After all, what’s the benefit of having all the smart technology if we don’t have a planet to live on, right?
Source: Google Environmental Report (https://sustainability.google/reports/environmental-report-2021/)