A new study published in the journal Joule has raised concerns about the potential surge in electricity consumption caused by the growing use of artificial intelligence (AI) technology. The study highlights that AI systems, particularly generative AI technology, heavily rely on powerful servers, which could lead to a significant increase in energy demand.
The authors of the study point to tech giant Google as an example, stating that in 2021, AI accounted for only 10-15% of the company’s total electricity consumption. However, as AI technology continues to expand, Google’s energy consumption could reach the scale of a small country. In fact, the worst-case scenario suggests that Google’s AI alone could consume as much electricity as Ireland, which uses 29.3 TWh per year.
While the authors acknowledge that the full-scale adoption of AI with current hardware and software is unlikely to happen rapidly, they caution against overly optimistic expectations regarding improvements in energy efficiency. They argue that advancements in AI technology can trigger a rebound effect, where increased efficiency leads to higher demand for AI, ultimately escalating total resource use.
Experts in the field agree that concerns about energy consumption are common during the early stages of any growing technology. However, they believe that improvements will likely be made to make AI more energy-efficient. Phil Siegel, founder of the Center for Advanced Preparedness and Threat Response Simulation, explains that as new technologies scale, chips and algorithms improve, and creativity in resource utilization increases, the amount of energy usage will eventually decrease significantly.
The study also suggests potential solutions to mitigate the energy consumption of AI technology. Christopher Alexander, the chief analytics officer of Pioneer Development Group, compares AI to Bitcoin mining, stating that although energy consumption cannot be lessened, it can be mitigated. He suggests alternative energy sources, such as natural gas from oil drilling that is burned off rather than used, and biogas from landfills. These untapped energy sources can be harnessed to power the future and prevent them from becoming pollutants.
In conclusion, the study warns about the potential increase in electricity consumption due to the expanding use of AI technology. It emphasizes the need to balance expectations for the future and highlights the importance of making AI more energy-efficient. While concerns about energy consumption are valid, experts believe that as the technology develops, energy usage will decrease significantly. However, it is crucial to remain cautious and not overlook the potential rebound effect and increased demand for AI in the coming years.
