Artificial intelligence (AI) development has been at the forefront of technological advancements, but a recent revelation sheds light on the hidden environmental costs associated with AI research.
The technology behind ChatGPT, a widely used language model, was built in the unlikely location of Iowa, and it’s causing concern due to its significant water consumption.
The Iowa Connection
The AI technology that powers ChatGPT, developed by Microsoft-backed OpenAI, relies on a powerful supercomputer for training its AI systems.
This supercomputer, located in Iowa, draws water from the Raccoon and Des Moines rivers’ watershed in central Iowa to maintain its cooling system. The revelation that a substantial amount of water is required for AI development has raised eyebrows.
High Environmental Costs
AI developers, including Microsoft, OpenAI, and Google, have been tight-lipped about the environmental toll of their AI projects. However, recent disclosures reveal the extent of this issue.
Microsoft reported a staggering 34% increase in global water consumption from 2021 to 2022, attributed primarily to their AI research endeavors. Google also saw a 20% rise in water use during the same period, with notable spikes in water consumption in areas like Oregon, Las Vegas, and, interestingly, Iowa.
The Water Consumption Quotient
A recent study conducted by researchers at the University of California, Riverside, highlights the water consumption associated with ChatGPT.
According to their findings, ChatGPT consumes approximately 500 milliliters of water every time it processes a series of between 5 to 50 prompts or questions. This estimate includes indirect water usage, such as cooling power plants supplying electricity to data centers.
Tech Progress vs. Environmental Responsibility
While AI development continues to advance rapidly, the environmental costs are becoming increasingly apparent. The use of significant amounts of water to cool supercomputers and power AI research is a concern that cannot be ignored.
Efforts are underway to address these issues, with Microsoft and OpenAI committing to research to measure and reduce the environmental impact of AI. However, as AI technology continues to evolve, it is clear that sustainable practices and transparency about environmental consequences must be integral to its development.
