By Naia Gerigk Lopez, Year 12
What happens to the water after it is consumed by ChatGPT? Is it a closed loop system?
Based on my reading, it seems to be that most of the water consumption is scope one. Meaning a lot of it is used at the data center for cooling and a big proportion of that is consumed as it evaporates. This essentially means that it is not a closed loop. However, the area where the data centres are situated has a significant impact on the amount of water used. They either utilise water-intensive cooling techniques or true water cooling, which becomes more closed-loop since you’re pumping and cooling and exchanging heat with the water, depending on the climate where the data centres are located. As opposed to air cooling, which uses water to cool the air. Additionally, the water appears to be more evaporative when using air conditioning, for instance.
Are certain AI chats more sustainable than others? Is the 500ml per conversation standard for all AI tools?
About the majority of these papers were published in 2024. As a result, they were examining data from 2023 and 2024. However, if we examine other AI systems, such as Google’s Gemini, we find that they appear to employ various processing techniques, each of which has distinctive cooling requirements or water usage.
Why do you think that the media pays so little attention to the environmental impact of ChatGPT ? Do you think it’s due to lack of knowledge or is it possibly intentional?
From what I have seen, there isn’t a lack of knowledge and neither is there some form of media conspiracy to withhold information. I discovered a number of sources, including Forbes, which is especially corporate and the BBC and CNN, where the issue is discussed. Having said that, it is normal for this issue to be discussed more and more on social media because it is one that we need to be aware of. However, there are similarities to perhaps two years ago, when we were discussing cryptocurrency and cryptocurrency mining. You’re essentially running massive data centres with several servers that require cooling when it comes to coin mining, because it employs the same methods as something like an AI system. Heat is being produced as a result of the processors constantly performing calculations. As a result, mining cryptocurrency also generated a lot of heat and energy. The awareness that was raised contributed to the resolution of many of the problems it brought along.
Those same issues that were previously addressed are now being placed on the shoulders of AI, because that is the new use for the majority of our data centres. These days, it is not just storing your photos and iCloud data, or simply indexing the Internet to provide quick access to different websites in different locations. Instead now, the data centres are used for these massive language models or generative AI tools.
Therefore, I believe that this is a more significant issue regarding our society, our reliance on the Internet, and our reliance on computer infrastructures. We should begin to view this issue globally in the same manner that we view things like power, energy, and electricity. Infrastructure is something which is close to being considered a human right.
Therefore, in order to guarantee that this infrastructure is managed globally in a sustainable manner, we must hold not only the companies but also our governments and various other stakeholders accountable.
We must make sure that resources like water, electricity, food, and land are used sustainably as we are forcing people and society to become more and more reliant on technology. We cannot simply say, “Well, you just have to ban it.” Because the next product that appears will depend on the same data centres.
People have argued that the entirety of the internet consumes a lot of energy already, ( e.g. scrolling on tiktok, binge watching netflix and online shopping which ships packages across the globe ) so is it unfair to judge this useful tool for its environmental impact. What is your stance on this?
I understand the argument, however, on the other hand, AI right now is a large conversation topic, which could be used as a motivator to have a serious discussion about how to address these crucial human rights concerning energy and water security.
Food, energy, and water are all very important components of our security nexus. All data centres must manage these resources in some way. However AI will be the driving force behind much of the infrastructure’s development. If we place the burden of delivery on these businesses, requiring them to demonstrate, innovate, and create, and we hold them to a certain standard, then future data centres will likewise be constructed to a standard where that is done.
Zuckerberg is among the wealthiest individuals on the planet, and ten or fifteen years ago, we all ignored the issue, saying things like, “Yeah, but it’s just one company.” But look at where we are now. Google is what Google is, and Meta is what Meta is…
As these businesses are just getting started, we have the chance to help them become not only significant contributors to society but also rays of hope for how we might design our computer network structures in the future to be sustainable and environmentally conscious rather than draining.
Some call this issue blame-shifting; while large corporations are the ones that are largely responsible for global warming, the blame is being shifted on us individuals. What is your stance on this?
If we start concentrating on specific aspects of a business, we may be able to make it appear good on paper. For example, Apple is presenting itself as a very sustainable business, and if you look at scope one and two, you’ll see that it is. However, the third scope remains environmentally harmful, which is why it’s critical that we focus on governments and communities as a whole rather than just a company or brand. This is because, although we have the ability to choose products, we don’t always do so, as demonstrated by monopolies in economics.
However, we also have the power, as demonstrated by California and Europe’s strict car and emissions regulations, to change our habits. Therefore, I believe that our governments should keep setting high standards for these businesses to meet.
Would you consider it to be more important to focus on those in power rather than our individual use?
I believe we should have a serious discussion with our leaders and governments because I believe that’s where we can make the largest difference. However, it doesn’t imply that we should stop making wise decisions on a personal level. I believe that the burden of being aware gives us the luxury of making wise choices. I know that not everyone has this luxury, and that some people have different priorities in their lives, but those of us who do have these luxuries, like you and me, should seriously consider the choices we make.
