As artificial intelligence continues to revolutionize various aspects of our lives, it has also raised significant concerns about its environmental impact. The rapid growth of AI systems and services has led to a substantial increase in energy consumption, with data centres being one of the primary contributors.
The Hidden Cost of Artificial Intelligence: A Call for Transparency in Data Centre Energy Use
As artificial intelligence (AI) continues to revolutionize various aspects of our lives, it has also raised significant concerns about its environmental impact. The rapid growth of AI systems and services has led to a substantial increase in energy consumption, with data centres being one of the primary contributors.
Artificial intelligence (AI) has been a topic of interest for decades, with its roots dating back to the Dartmouth Summer Research Project in 1956.
The field has since grown exponentially, with significant advancements in machine learning, natural language processing, and computer vision.
Today, AI is applied in various industries, including healthcare, finance, and transportation, improving efficiency and accuracy.
According to a report by Gartner, AI will create 2.3 million new jobs by 2025, while also augmenting human capabilities.
The Alarming Statistics
According to a recent report by the National Engineering Policy Centre (NEPC) , tech companies such as Google and Microsoft have reported year-on-year increases in data centre water consumption since 2020. In fact, Google’s data centres consumed 19.5 million cubic metres of water in 2022, a 20% increase from the previous year. Microsoft, on the other hand, used 6.4 million cubic metres of water in 2022, primarily for its cloud data centres, representing a 34% increase from the previous year.
The Lack of Transparency
Despite the significant environmental costs associated with AI development and deployment, there is currently no reliable data available on the quantity of resources used by data centres. This lack of transparency makes it challenging for policymakers to develop effective strategies to reduce energy consumption and mitigate the environmental impact of AI.
A Call for Mandatory Reporting
Experts are now urging the UK government to make tech companies submit mandatory reports on their energy and water consumption, as well as carbon emissions, in order to set conditions for data centres that prioritize resource efficiency. Prof Tom Rodden, a member of the NEPC working group, emphasized the importance of monitoring the environmental cost of AI: ‘Once we have access to trustworthy data pertaining to their environmental impacts, we can begin to effectively target efficiency in development, deployment, and use, and plan a sustainable AI future for the UK.’
Recommendations for Policymakers
The report made several recommendations to policymakers, including:
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Expanding mandatory environmental reporting
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Providing information on environmental impacts of AI systems
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Setting environmental sustainability requirements for data centres
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Reconsidering data collection, transmission, storage, and management practices
By implementing these measures, policymakers can ensure that the development and deployment of AI systems are aligned with sustainable goals, minimizing its negative impact on the environment. As Sarvapali (Gopal) Ramchurn, a professor of artificial intelligence at the University of Southampton, noted: ‘AI providers must be transparent about these effects. If we cannot measure it, we cannot manage it, nor ensure benefits for all.’
- theguardian.com | Call to make tech firms report data centre energy use as AI booms
