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

    • XIIIesq@lemmy.worldEnglish
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      29 days ago

      I don’t understand the hate for AI. It’s a new technology that has some teething issues, but it’s only going to get better and more efficient.

      • dan@upvote.auEnglish
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        29 days ago

        It’s a new technology

        It’s not really… It’s just that it’s become more mainstream now.

      • lennivelkant@discuss.tchncs.deEnglish
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        29 days ago

        Until it does, we shouldn’t exacerbate the climate and resource issues we already have by blindly buying into the hype and building more and larger corporate-scale power gluttons to produce even more heat than we’re already dealing with.

        “AI” has potential, ideas like machine assistance with writing letters and improving security by augmenting human alertness are all nice. Unfortunately, it also has destructive potential for things like surveillance, even deadlier weapons or accelerating the wealth extraction of those with the capital to invest in building aforementioned power gluttons.

        Additionally, it risks misuse and overreliance, which is particularly dangerous in the current stage where it can’t entirely replace humans (yet), the issues of which may not immediately become apparent until they do damage.

        If and until the abilities of AI reach the point where they can compensate tech illiteracy and we no longer need to worry about the exorbitant heat production, it shouldn’t be deployed at scale at all, and even then its use needs to be scrutinised, regulated and that regulation is appropriately enforced (which basically requires significant social and political change, so good luck).

    • goog70@lemmy.todayEnglish
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      29 days ago

      Billions of people have been using Google for years, and Google has been using artificial intelligence for years. It’s nothing new.

    • stinky@redlemmy.comEnglish
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      22 days ago

      You mean you were doing just fine without it.

      You don’t speak for the entire human race friendo. You don’t get to decide what happens to us, and thank God. You seem too emotional and selfish to be any good at leadership.

      • WrenFeathers@lemmy.worldEnglish
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        22 days ago

        Emotional and selfish? Right. Sooo…

        • AI is ruining the environment and has yet to show any positive reason for it
        • AI is taking jobs from people
        • AI is destroying our art and our entertainment

        But according to you…. I’m selfish for wanting to stop it.

        And where do you get the idea that I’m being to emotional? Is it just that you thought it would help you by removing any validation from my statement?

        How about this:

        YOU don’t get to speak for me, friends. You don’t get to decide if I’m emotional. And thank god. You seem too ignorant to be any good and psychological diagnoses.