AI and the Environment: The Dark truth
MONTREAL: If you care about the environment, think twice about using AI.
Generative artificial intelligence uses 30 times more energy than a traditional search engine, warns researcher Sasha Luccioni, on a mission to raise awareness about the environmental impact of the hot new technology.
Energy Efficiency
A leading researcher on the impact of AI on climate, Luccioni participated in 2020 in the creation of a tool for developers to quantify the carbon footprint of running a piece of code. "CodeCarbon" has since been downloaded more than a million times.
She is now working on creating a certification system for algorithms. Similar to the programme from the US Environmental Protection Agency that awards scores based on the energy consumption of electronic devices and appliances, it would make it possible to know an AI product’s energy consumption in order to encourage users and developers to "make better decisions."
Transparency
In order to develop her tool, Luccioni is experimenting with it on generative AI models that are accessible to everyone, or open source, but she would also like to do it on commercial models from Google or ChatGPT-creator OpenAI, which have been reluctant to agree.
Energy Sobriety
It is also necessary to "explain to people what generative AI can and cannot do, and at what cost," according to Luccioni.
In her latest study, the researcher demonstrated that producing a high-definition image using artificial intelligence consumes as much energy as fully recharging the battery of your cell phone.
At a time when more and more companies want to integrate the technology further into our lives – with conversational bots and connected devices, or in online searches – Luccioni advocates "energy sobriety."
The idea here is not to oppose AI, she emphasizes, but rather to choose the right tools – and use them judiciously.
FAQs
Q: What is the environmental impact of AI?
A: Generative AI uses 30 times more energy than traditional search engines.
Q: What is the energy consumption of AI in 2022?
A: The combined AI and cryptocurrency sectors consumed nearly 460 terawatt hours of electricity in 2022 – 2% of total global production.
Q: What is the solution to the environmental impact of AI?
A: It is necessary to promote transparency and encourage the use of energy-efficient AI models. It is also necessary to explain to people what generative AI can and cannot do, and at what cost.
Q: What is "energy sobriety"?
A: "Energy sobriety" refers to the idea of choosing the right tools – and using them judiciously.
Q: What is the future of AI?
A: The future of AI is uncertain, but it is clear that it will continue to have a significant impact on our lives. It is up to us to ensure that this technology is used in a way that minimizes its environmental impact.