New and Improved Blog Post:
AI model Sam Altman estimates one ChatGPT query consumes a trivial amount of water, equivalent to one fifteenth of a teaspoon – however, this small consumption doesn't necessarily absolve AI of larger environmental implications.
In a blog post today, OpenAI's top dog Sam Altman shared an intriguing tidbit about ChatGPT — it consumes 'roughly one 15th of a teaspoon' of water for a typical query. Altman didn't delve deep into the details, leaving us scratching our heads about whether this water consumption comes from the cooling hardware used in server computers or a broader environmental impact from AI, like manufacturing and installation of the hardware.
So, let's address the elephant in the room: just how much water are we talking about? It may not seem like a lot, but considering the sheer number of ChatGPT queries, it could potentially add up.
Assuming one billion queries per day, the water consumption equals 0.000085 gallons daily. To put this into perspective, the daily water usage in the USA is around 322 billion gallons. That means ChatGPT uses a mind-bogglingly tiny 0.0000026% of the US daily national water usage.
Another way to look at it is in comparison to an individual's at-home daily water usage. The US Environmental Protection Agency estimates the average American consumes 82 gallons of water at home daily. In comparison, ChatGPT's water usage per query comes out to a whopping 0.0001% of an individual's daily water usage. To make a meaningful difference to your overall water usage, you'd need to question ChatGPT a LOT!
That said, it's important to note that Sam Altman's claim needs to be taken with a grain of salt. Water consumption might be a small matter, but AI's overall environmental impact is a different story.
One major concern is energy consumption. Some estimates put AI at one-fifth of all data center power consumption, making it a significant player in the energy market. Meanwhile, Altman himself is already rallying efforts to build fusion reactors to tackle the power problem associated with AI.
On a philosophical note, supporters argue that the long-term benefits of AI will far outweigh any temporary impact as the technology progresses. If AI helps solve our energy woes and other environmental crises, it might all be worth it in the end.
However, until that day arrives, it pays to tread cautiously and minimize the environmental impact of AI. Let's ensure our quest for advancement doesn't come at the cost of our planet.
Jeremy LairdJeremy has been diving deep into the tech world like a pro since the Netburst era (Google it!). He can't resist a good dissertation on those finer points of monitor input lag and overshoot and will eagerly debate advanced lithography. Tennis, cars, and machines that go "ping" are also close to his heart.
- As we move further into the realm of artificial-intelligence-driven games like ChatGPT, it's crucial to consider the environmental impact of the technology.
- To mitigate the energy consumption of AI, there's a growing need to incorporate advanced technologies such as solar power and AI-optimized cooling systems into data centers.
- In the spirit of minimizing AI's environmental footprint, perhaps the next trendy gaming season can focus on eco-friendly themes, inspiring players to be more mindful of their collective impact on the environment.
