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cover of episode How will we power the AI boom?

How will we power the AI boom?

2025/2/13
logo of podcast On Point | Podcast

On Point | Podcast

AI Deep Dive AI Chapters Transcript
People
A
Amy Myers Jaffe
E
Evan Helper
J
Jeremy Slayton
M
Meghna Chakrabarty
N
Nicole Martin
P
Patrick Larson
P
President Donald Trump
Topics
Meghna Chakrabarty: 我对ChatGPT的电力消耗进行了测试,发现其结果与之前的测试大相径庭,这让我对人工智能的实际能源消耗产生了疑问。我发现,虽然ChatGPT声称其电力消耗低于传统灯泡,但实际情况可能并非如此,尤其是在考虑到云服务器和其他基础设施的能源消耗时。我对人工智能的能源需求快速增长感到担忧,并认为这可能对美国的能源供应构成挑战。 Evan Helper: 我认为人工智能的能源消耗问题非常严峻。虽然单次ChatGPT查询的能源消耗看似不高,但考虑到全球范围内的查询总量,其总能源消耗是巨大的。我观察到,科技公司为了满足其快速增长的能源需求,正在转向化石燃料,这与他们减少温室气体排放的承诺相悖。我特别关注奥马哈的案例,Meta公司的数据中心导致当地燃煤电厂的关闭被推迟,这给当地社区带来了健康和环境问题。 Amy Myers Jaffe: 我认为,虽然化石燃料目前似乎是满足人工智能能源需求的快速解决方案,但从长远来看,可再生能源和更高效的输电系统才是更可持续的选择。我强调,新建天然气发电厂并非总是最快的选择,而且可再生能源项目,如太阳能,在获得许可和输电支持的情况下,可以更快地投入使用。我提到了德克萨斯州在利用电池存储和可再生能源方面取得的成功,并认为虚拟电厂等创新解决方案可以帮助平衡电网负荷,减少对传统化石燃料发电厂的依赖。

Deep Dive

Chapters
The show opens by querying ChatGPT about its energy consumption per query, revealing inconsistencies in its responses and highlighting the complexity of calculating AI's energy footprint. The discussion then broadens to consider AI's overall energy demands and its potential to become a major electricity consumer by 2030.
  • ChatGPT's energy consumption per query varies significantly, even within short timeframes.
  • One study suggests a large language model like GPT-3 consumes 0.5 to 1.5 kilowatt-hours for training.
  • Independent estimates suggest a single ChatGPT query uses as much electricity as an LED light bulb for 20 minutes.
  • AI is projected to consume 8-18% of total U.S. power demand by 2030.

Shownotes Transcript

Just one query to ChatGPT takes as much energy as powering a lightbulb for some 20 minutes. As AI balloons, so does its demand for electricity. That's driving tech companies to increase their demand for fossil fuels.