The massive computer clusters powering artificial intelligence consume vast quantities to answer the world’s queries, but how is Big Tech redressing the balance?

Writing a 100-word email using ChatGPT (GPT-4, latest model) consumes 1 x 500ml bottle of water It uses 140Wh of energy, enough for 7 full charges of an iPhone Pro Max

  • @TheGrandNagusEnglish
    17•1 month ago

    Yes, the vast majority are closed loop systems and the water isn’t really used up, like a lot of these headlines imply.

    That’s not to say the energy being used can’t be put to better uses, though.

    • @BrianTheeBiscuiteerEnglish
      12•1 month ago

      Not used up per se but sequestered. It’s water that nobody will ever get to drink or use for crops, etc.

        • @[email protected]English
          4•1 month ago

          Datacenters are usually not located where this would be useful. They’re placed where space and energy are cheap, because everything they do only needs Internet access. At most they’d heat the rest of the building for whatever office space there is.