You raise valid concerns about the environmental impact of AI data centers. And it’s right to question a society that values GDP over people’s lives.
That said, data centers actually use about 1-1.3% of global electricity and there are bigger fish to fry. Many data centers are getting more efficient and are shifting to renewables. It’s not just “wasteful power hogs” across the board.
The main concern I have about the article is that it's not right to single out this one sector (since it does hold promise) but because there are so many other massive users of energy that need to be reigned in.
As policy makers and activists, we can have an exponentially greater impact if we focus on the real hogs. We need to look not just at AI but beyond it and tackle energy use in buildings (around 40% of energy consumption), industry (about 30%), and transport (roughly 30%). These areas offer bigger, cheaper wins for cutting energy use.
Yes, keep your eye on the AI ball. It's good that you call attention to it. But we need smart policies that don't just tilt at data centers but aim at saving where we can have the most impact.
I worked on climate issues with the electronics sector - including MS, Google, etc and the greatest environmental/climate impact arises from the MASSIVE consumption of concrete and steel to build the actual facilities. Much/most data center operators have managed to source renewables for direct use or as offsets to the energy use, as you point out ( though their consumption of enormous amounts of renewable energy puts pressure on that 'commodity' market that may well drive price increases for everyone.) And there are many strategies for moving away from water-cooling that are coming online, and should bend that water use downward. But the high carbon materials used in the buildings (and there is no way to currently source enough low carbon steel or concrete for this construction) has an ENORMOUS negative climate impact.
Thank you for pointing out data centers energy usage vs other industries. Big Tech is a robber baron, agreed. But morally scaring people off using AI could backfire because it creates yet another massive power divide. We need smart, caring people using AI to innovate, strategize, and build the new world too.
I sympathize with Luann's, Tim's, AND Jamenta's responses (& thought this was a great article as well). Technology needs to be used for human-centered purposes, & only as a .tool. to make human life better, as opposed to an end in itself. Forcing it on people simply as a means to enrichment of the few, in ways that don't actually make people's real lives better, is a gross misuse of human intellect & creativity.
Do we really need AI? I’ve lived 63 years without it and have done just fine. So encouraging to hear about the communities rejecting these data centers!
Problem is that AI was going to be an inevitability when it comes to creating innovation as human society. The issue is that this is reckless use of AI for individual/tribalistic purposes instead for the betterment of everyone. The only solution is to implement restrictions on all things concerning data centers and AI models to respect privacy, the community, and the earth.
Look at MRI machines. MRI machines have saved countless lives, but you have advocates against MRI machines or any advances in human technology.
AI is just another technological tool. The problem isn't the tool itself, but the misuse of that technological tool i.e. which means the system we currently have that prioritizes profits over the value of a human being (and even the health of the planet itself) - is the real problem we're facing right now. And if we as the human race don't get a handle on this bizarre (self-destructive) system that prioritizes the wealth of a handful of absurdly rich humans, over the lives of everyone else on the planet - then I think the human race is doomed, whether you succeed in banning AI technology or not.
Thank you for the marvelous insights into the reality of our out of control system of economy and government. China has no homelessness and is far superior in technology and creativity than our ones great country. I celebrate your insights and your courage to share them.
Absolute banger, chief — keep up the great work
Yes! 🙌🏼
You raise valid concerns about the environmental impact of AI data centers. And it’s right to question a society that values GDP over people’s lives.
That said, data centers actually use about 1-1.3% of global electricity and there are bigger fish to fry. Many data centers are getting more efficient and are shifting to renewables. It’s not just “wasteful power hogs” across the board.
The main concern I have about the article is that it's not right to single out this one sector (since it does hold promise) but because there are so many other massive users of energy that need to be reigned in.
As policy makers and activists, we can have an exponentially greater impact if we focus on the real hogs. We need to look not just at AI but beyond it and tackle energy use in buildings (around 40% of energy consumption), industry (about 30%), and transport (roughly 30%). These areas offer bigger, cheaper wins for cutting energy use.
Yes, keep your eye on the AI ball. It's good that you call attention to it. But we need smart policies that don't just tilt at data centers but aim at saving where we can have the most impact.
I worked on climate issues with the electronics sector - including MS, Google, etc and the greatest environmental/climate impact arises from the MASSIVE consumption of concrete and steel to build the actual facilities. Much/most data center operators have managed to source renewables for direct use or as offsets to the energy use, as you point out ( though their consumption of enormous amounts of renewable energy puts pressure on that 'commodity' market that may well drive price increases for everyone.) And there are many strategies for moving away from water-cooling that are coming online, and should bend that water use downward. But the high carbon materials used in the buildings (and there is no way to currently source enough low carbon steel or concrete for this construction) has an ENORMOUS negative climate impact.
Thank you for pointing out data centers energy usage vs other industries. Big Tech is a robber baron, agreed. But morally scaring people off using AI could backfire because it creates yet another massive power divide. We need smart, caring people using AI to innovate, strategize, and build the new world too.
I sympathize with Luann's, Tim's, AND Jamenta's responses (& thought this was a great article as well). Technology needs to be used for human-centered purposes, & only as a .tool. to make human life better, as opposed to an end in itself. Forcing it on people simply as a means to enrichment of the few, in ways that don't actually make people's real lives better, is a gross misuse of human intellect & creativity.
This!
Brilliant! 🙌🫂⛓️💥🇨🇦
Do we really need AI? I’ve lived 63 years without it and have done just fine. So encouraging to hear about the communities rejecting these data centers!
Problem is that AI was going to be an inevitability when it comes to creating innovation as human society. The issue is that this is reckless use of AI for individual/tribalistic purposes instead for the betterment of everyone. The only solution is to implement restrictions on all things concerning data centers and AI models to respect privacy, the community, and the earth.
Look at MRI machines. MRI machines have saved countless lives, but you have advocates against MRI machines or any advances in human technology.
AI is just another technological tool. The problem isn't the tool itself, but the misuse of that technological tool i.e. which means the system we currently have that prioritizes profits over the value of a human being (and even the health of the planet itself) - is the real problem we're facing right now. And if we as the human race don't get a handle on this bizarre (self-destructive) system that prioritizes the wealth of a handful of absurdly rich humans, over the lives of everyone else on the planet - then I think the human race is doomed, whether you succeed in banning AI technology or not.
We will when other countries like China get it first, can't bring knives to gun fights. The genie is out of the bottle now.
Sound like a real communist manifesto!
I just cant remember when having the same amount of net worth was a goal. Mostly in US.
Greetings from Europe - we had this regime here from 3 decades - with a main goal: No rich people, just all being in a middle class.
It doesnt work.
Wake up.
They won’t get away with it.
Thank you for the marvelous insights into the reality of our out of control system of economy and government. China has no homelessness and is far superior in technology and creativity than our ones great country. I celebrate your insights and your courage to share them.
China is helping Israel commit its genocide. Profits over people.
Hi Jasmine, how is China helping Israel commit its genocide? I was under the impression they had a generally strong anti Israel stance.
Trade and diplomatic cover.