As wildfires rage in California, a scientist from Nvidia, the world's largest artificial intelligence chip manufacturer, proposed using AI robots to combat the fires. However, this suggestion has raised concerns about its environmental impact.
Nvidia's "embodied AI" researcher, Jim Fan, posted a video on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), showcasing a humanoid robot walking on the streets of China. He praised the robot's "style" in the comments and called for such robots to be deployed in firefighting efforts as soon as possible.
However, while the Los Angeles area faces wildfires, Nvidia showcased some energy-intensive generative AI technologies at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, such as its "neural face" technology, which claims to transcend the "uncanny valley" by altering the faces of video game characters. This demonstration of technology that comes at a significant energy cost felt particularly out of place, as just hours away in Los Angeles, people are facing the threat of losing their homes and lives.
Recent research from the University of California, Riverside, and the California Institute of Technology indicates that AI technology not only consumes vast amounts of water resources in data centers but has also begun to exacerbate carbon emissions and water consumption. Although this research primarily focuses on the impact of AI on public health, it warns that as technology advances, environmental issues will only worsen. OpenAI's CEO, Sam Altman, is seeking trillions in infrastructure investment to support his vision for the future of the industry.
The proposal by Nvidia scientists to use AI to address the wildfire issue caused by climate change inevitably brings to mind oil companies selling so-called "carbon credits" to offset greenhouse gas emissions, a practice that has also faced significant criticism. While AI companies are not currently the largest polluters in the world, if the industry continues to grow at its current pace, future environmental issues will become more severe, and there is no doubt that the planet will face more disasters.
Key Points:
🌍 The environmental impact of AI technology is becoming increasingly apparent, particularly regarding water resources and carbon emissions.
🤖 The proposal for firefighting robots by Nvidia scientists has sparked public skepticism amid raging wildfires.
🔥 Currently, AI companies are not the largest polluters, but if growth continues, future environmental challenges should not be underestimated.
