Why AI’s present and future bring some serious environmental concerns

Sub: Sci

Sec: AWARENESS IN IT and computer

Context:

Google reported a 13% increase in emissions in 2023 compared to 2022.
The rise was mainly due to increased electricity consumption in data centres and supply chains.
Data centres used 17% more electricity in 2023, largely due to the growing deployment of AI tools.

Energy Consumption by AI:

AI tools, such as those used in chatbots, consume significantly more energy than regular Google searches.
Studies show that an AI query can use 10 to 33 times more energy than a typical search, with image-based AI searches consuming even more.
Reasons for Higher Emissions
AI models process and sift through more data, requiring more electrical signals and generating more heat.
The increased heat demands more powerful cooling systems in data centres, further increasing energy consumption.

Global Impact of AI on Energy Consumption:

The widespread use of AI is expected to sharply increase global energy consumption.
Data centres currently account for 1-1.3% of global electricity demand, potentially rising to 1.5-3% by 2026.
In countries like Ireland and the United States, data centres already consume significant portions of national electricity demand.

Concerns for India:

In India, the environmental impact of AI and data centres is expected to grow.
The increased demand for water resources for cooling data centres, noting a lack of adequate data on water consumption.
The need for efficient planning and measures to minimize the environmental impact as AI and data centres expand in India.

Potential Positive Impact of AI:

Some estimates suggest that large-scale AI deployment could reduce global emissions by 5-10% by 2030.
AI can help monitor and optimize existing processes to reduce wastage and inefficiencies, potentially generating significant economic value.