As the number of ChatGPT users surpasses 300 million, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman expresses optimism, believing this figure will continue to grow. However, the rapid development of artificial intelligence is also increasingly impacting the environment. Recently, Australian AI expert Kate Crawford pointed out in a lecture that the swift rise of generative AI could have profound negative effects on the environment.

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Image source note: Image generated by AI, image licensed by Midjourney

During her talk at the State Library of Victoria, Professor Crawford stated that without sustainable planning, generative AI is expected to consume energy equivalent to that of Japan within a year. She emphasized that climate change is an unavoidable reality, making it urgent to reduce the global carbon footprint. She said, “We are under immense pressure to achieve decarbonization by the middle of this century. If we do not, we will face serious consequences that will affect everyone.”

In her lecture, Crawford compared the resource consumption of a single ChatGPT query to water usage, stating that each query wastes half a liter of water. She believes this comparison highlights that companies should focus on sustainability rather than who is leading the AI race. Crawford emphasized, “We are wasting a significant amount of water on these systems, and many people are not aware that this is actually a major issue. Therefore, I believe that the top priority for the entire industry should be sustainability, not the AI competition.”

Since the launch of ChatGPT, although this technology has caused a huge shock to competitors and the public, Crawford believes it is now time to examine the actual utility of this service, considering what benefits humanity and what drawbacks it may have. Overall, generative AI should serve as a catalyst for social prosperity, rather than a source of problems that humanity needs to address in the future.

Key Points:

🌍 A single ChatGPT query wastes half a liter of water, reminding people to pay attention to AI's impact on water resources.

⚡ The energy consumption of generative AI could reach Japan's level within a year, necessitating sustainable development plans.

🤝 Sustainability should be the top priority in the AI industry, rather than competitive rankings.