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cover of episode The Dirty Energy Powering AI

The Dirty Energy Powering AI

2024/12/3
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Why It Matters

AI Deep Dive AI Chapters Transcript
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Gabrielle Sierra
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Varun Sivaram
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Varun Sivaram: 我致力于解决气候变化这一生存威胁。我们需要将全球排放量降至净零。AI 的能源消耗可能超过航空、航运等行业,成为最大的能源消耗者之一。如果不解决 AI 的气候影响,就无法解决整体气候挑战。清洁能源转型对美国既有机遇也有风险,中国在清洁能源转型方面处于领先地位。我们需要采取务实、清晰的应对气候变化和清洁能源转型的方法,以促进美国的国家利益。气候变化对美国安全构成严重威胁,其风险与核战争相当。我们需要认识到世界距离实现气候目标还很远,并为不可避免的气候变化做好准备。避免灾难性气候变化需要解决 AI 和清洁能源难题。短期内,AI 对全球排放的影响相对较小,但长期来看,其能源需求可能会超过其他行业。我们需要找到新的能源来源,投资能源基础设施,加快数据中心与电网的连接速度,并用经济可靠的能源供电。美国需要保持在 AI 领域的领先地位,这需要快速建设 AI 计算资源,同时应对来自中国的竞争。理想情况下,数据中心应该采用多种能源,其中大部分是清洁能源。为了满足数据中心对电力需求的快速变化,可以投资下一代清洁能源技术,如先进核电、先进地热技术或水电。可以考虑让数据中心脱离电网运行,使用电池、微电网和碳捕获技术。可以大力投资电力基础设施,简化审批流程。可以提高数据中心的电力需求灵活性,以更好地利用现有电力基础设施和可再生能源。 Gabrielle Sierra: AI 的兴起可能会阻碍清洁能源转型。全球减排承诺与实际行动存在差距,AI 的能源消耗问题加剧了气候挑战。目前,数据中心在美国电力消费中占比约 4%,全球占比更低,但 AI 的能源消耗正在快速增长。到 2030 年,数据中心在美国电力消费中的占比可能达到 10% 到 12%。AI 的能源消耗量巨大,使用 ChatGPT 等 AI 工具会消耗电力,对环境造成一定程度的负面影响。训练和使用大型语言模型非常耗能。一些科技公司正在利用 AI 技术来追踪气候污染和全球变暖的影响。

Deep Dive

Chapters
The podcast explores the significant energy consumption of AI and its potential to hinder the clean energy transition. The discussion highlights the reliance of AI on fossil fuels and the growing energy demands of data centers, raising concerns about its environmental impact and the need for solutions.
  • AI's energy consumption is substantial and largely relies on fossil fuels.
  • AI's energy demand is increasing rapidly, potentially surpassing other energy-intensive sectors.
  • Failure to address AI's climate impact could jeopardize overall climate goals.

Shownotes Transcript

What powers artificial intelligence (AI)? As global electricity use is surging, with unprecedented demand coming from an increase in data centers, AI’s dependence on fossil fuels presents a serious issue for the planet. In the United States, data center power usage is on track to double by 2030, largely due to the proliferation of AI technology. But while the application of AI shows potential to mitigate climate problems, will its power grab stall the clean energy transition?

 

Featured Guests:

 

Varun Sivaram), Senior Fellow for Climate and Energy, CFR

 

For an episode transcript and show notes, visit us at https://www.cfr.org/podcasts/wim/dirty-energy-powering-ai