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AI is a green curse as well as a blessing
The amount of energy used by data centres is staggering
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As countries consider geoengineering responses to climate change, AI researchers are focusing on modelling the possible impacts.
PHOTO: AFP
John Thornhill
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One of the breeziest promises made about artificial intelligence (AI) is that it will enable us to tackle the world’s biggest challenges, such as climate change.
AI can help run smarter electricity grids, design more efficient electric vehicles and track plastic pollution in our oceans. However, the data centres that host the latest AI models consume shocking amounts of energy and water. Is AI more of a problem than a solution when it comes to the climate emergency?
