The massive computer clusters powering artificial intelligence consume vast quantities to answer the world’s queries, but how is Big Tech redressing the balance?

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

  • someguy3@lemmy.worldEnglish
    0·
    30 days ago

    You can run a geothermal loop in reverse and use the earth as a giant heat sink.

    You need something to move the heat away, like water or air. Having something solid that just absorbs will reach its heat capacity pretty quick.

    • Ace@feddit.ukEnglish
      0·
      30 days ago

      I don’t know, but given that ground-source heat pumps are one of the most efficient ways to heat a building, and this suggestion is just exactly that in reverse (pumping the heat into the ground instead of out of it), I’d imagine that it will not just “reach its heat capacity”. The heat would flow away just as it flows to a heat pump. If the entire earth reaches its heat capacity I think we’d have problems.