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

  • Prunebutt@slrpnk.netOP
    1·
    5 months ago

    Where are you gonna get the energy to desalinate water from? What about areas that are thousands of kilometres from the ocean?

    • BlackLaZoR@fedia.io
      01·
      5 months 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
        1·
        5 months 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
          01·
          5 months 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.