Watch now | Examining AI's true environmental impact, the 'stochastic parrot' debate, effective altruism, technological determinism, and all the ways we need the AI conversation to improve.
David MacKay's book is great but the numbers are now a bit dated - Hannah Ritchie (who is also a fan of MacKay) wrote an article with some updated figures from a more recent paper:
Very interesting conversation. But the aspect of it that amazes me most is that how much alien these discussions are to my daily in-person conversations. I haven't heard about negative environmental impacts of AI in my work with university students, whereas a lot of them have told me about using it as a companion or friend or therapist. I am wondering whether it is because many of my encounters are with international students or whatever other selection bias is in work
That’s interesting. Most of my encounters with the university students I teach are similar to yours, actually, but I’ve also encountered certain communities (among students, academics, journalists, commentators) who really hate AI and raise these environmental concerns. It would be interesting to explore how widespread or representative they are. I’m really not sure.
My 16 year old refused to use ChatGPT because of environmental concerns until I talked to her about how YouTube and TikTok were worse. She is a student in a San Francisco art school but it’s one data point.
I wonder is any of these guys have read Friedrich Hayek? Influenced by: Ludwig von Mises, Adam Smith, Carl Menger … It seems like there is a blind spot. But, interesting discussion and they seem like smart guys.
Data center construction is crowding out other construction and is increasing the cost of electricity for humans. In a very real way, the AI intelligence being created is already starting to push on human uses of nature.
It’s not really an environmental issue, at least not yet, but a much more basic use of available resources and the time and energy of humans. The stock market boom is both and effect and cause of this.
David MacKay's book is great but the numbers are now a bit dated - Hannah Ritchie (who is also a fan of MacKay) wrote an article with some updated figures from a more recent paper:
https://www.sustainabilitybynumbers.com/p/can-solar-and-wind-power-britain
Very interesting conversation. But the aspect of it that amazes me most is that how much alien these discussions are to my daily in-person conversations. I haven't heard about negative environmental impacts of AI in my work with university students, whereas a lot of them have told me about using it as a companion or friend or therapist. I am wondering whether it is because many of my encounters are with international students or whatever other selection bias is in work
That’s interesting. Most of my encounters with the university students I teach are similar to yours, actually, but I’ve also encountered certain communities (among students, academics, journalists, commentators) who really hate AI and raise these environmental concerns. It would be interesting to explore how widespread or representative they are. I’m really not sure.
My 16 year old refused to use ChatGPT because of environmental concerns until I talked to her about how YouTube and TikTok were worse. She is a student in a San Francisco art school but it’s one data point.
Thank you for sharing. Keep up the good work!
I wonder is any of these guys have read Friedrich Hayek? Influenced by: Ludwig von Mises, Adam Smith, Carl Menger … It seems like there is a blind spot. But, interesting discussion and they seem like smart guys.
I'm gonna wager that we've all read at least a little Hayek!
That is hopeful. I don't want to be a burden, but I would love to see a list of lessons learned.
Data center construction is crowding out other construction and is increasing the cost of electricity for humans. In a very real way, the AI intelligence being created is already starting to push on human uses of nature.
It’s not really an environmental issue, at least not yet, but a much more basic use of available resources and the time and energy of humans. The stock market boom is both and effect and cause of this.
Thanks for this!
>why so much discourse surrounding AI is so tribal and bad
I'm curious if you think there is any discourse about any topic that isn't tribal and bad.
I'm not trying to "both siderism" but I'm truly curious as to anywhere there isn't just horrible screaming takes.