The massive computer clusters powering artificial intelligence consume vast quantities to answer the world’s queries, but how is Big Tech redressing the balance?

cross-posted from: https://lemmy.dbzer0.com/post/32023985

Writing a 100-word email using ChatGPT (GPT-4, latest model) consumes 1 x 500ml bottle of water It uses 140Wh of energy, enough for 7 full charges of an iPhone Pro Max

  • BlackLaZoR@fedia.io
    13·
    1 day ago

    Where are you gonna get the energy to desalinate water from?

    From the same sources as with the energy needed to manufacture everything else. The demand for electricity has grown year by year for decades, and we haven’t run out of it.

    What about areas that are thousands of kilometres from the ocean?

    Regular logistics as with any other good

    • Prunebutt@slrpnk.netOP
      2·
      23 hours ago

      And how will you supply that energy, while also supplying these absurdly energy intensive LLMs and cutting CO2 emmissions?

      Yes, the demand has grown year by year for decades and look at the climate catastrophe it has brought us!

      • BlackLaZoR@fedia.io
        12·
        20 hours ago

        Climate is a separate issue. You can supply green energy, nuclear, or burn fossil fuels. Say what you want, but as far as energy production goes, free market keeps delivering since decades.

        And it just happens, that regions suffering from the biggest fresh water deficit also happen to have good conditions for solar energy production.

        • Prunebutt@slrpnk.netOP
          2·
          20 hours ago

          Climate is a separate issue.

          To the energy requirements of our economy? I beg to fucking differ.

          And it just happens, that regions suffering from the biggest fresh water deficit also happen to have good conditions for solar energy production.

          Well, I guess the droughts are their own fault, then, or what? 🙄

          • BlackLaZoR@fedia.io
            12·
            20 hours ago

            To the energy requirements of our economy? I beg to fucking differ.

            Well, yes - because energy can be produced from renewable sources. It isn’t fault of general economy, that the energy sector produces lots of CO2.

            The solution isn’t to scale down economy, its to replace fossil fuels with nuclear and renewables

            Well, I guess the droughts are their own fault, then, or what?

            What???

            • Prunebutt@slrpnk.netOP
              2·
              20 hours ago

              The solution isn’t to scale down economy, its to replace fossil fuels with nuclear and renewables

              There’s not enough resources in the world to keep our current economic output while also switching to renewables. I think you unerestimate the energy density of fossil fuels.

              Fossil fuels aren’t only used by power plants and cars. The whole steel industry relies on fossils. How are you gonna supply heavy industry and electric cars and datacenters and desalination plants while also phasing out fossil power plants.

              Not even talking about the problems with nuclear.

              • BlackLaZoR@fedia.io
                11·
                20 hours ago

                There’s not enough resources in the world to keep our current economic output while also switching to renewables.

                Well, you’re wrong. For example in France almost all electricity comes from mix of nuclear and renewable sources.

                https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electricity_sector_in_France

                Around 70% nuclear, 11% hydro and only like 7,5% from fossil (rest are solar, wind and biomass)

                Switching transportation to electric is much more difficult but it’s happening. 10 years ago, electric cars just weren’t a thing.