OpenAI CEO defends ChatGPT over its environmental impact ...
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman recently published a blog post titled "The Gentle Singularity", where he shared insights on the future of technology and AI. In the post, Altman reassures readers that in the 2030s, human values and activities such as family, creativity, games, and outdoor activities will still hold significance. He also expressed optimism about the continuous improvement of technology for the betterment of society.
AI's Environmental Sustainability
One key aspect that Altman addressed in his blog post was the environmental sustainability of AI, particularly focusing on ChatGPT. Altman debunked common misconceptions about the energy consumption of AI queries, stating that the average ChatGPT query uses about 0.34 watt-hours of energy, equivalent to the energy usage of a household oven for just over one second or a high-efficiency lightbulb for a couple of minutes. Additionally, a single query consumes approximately 0.000085 gallons of water, which is minuscule compared to daily water usage.
Altman's analysis sparked further discussion, especially considering ChatGPT's extensive user base, which reached around 800 million weekly active users in April of this year. Extrapolating the energy and water consumption based on this user count revealed potentially significant figures, emphasizing the need for accurate assessments and sustainable practices in AI development.
Despite initial calculations, the potential environmental impact of AI queries remains a topic of interest and concern. As technology continues to advance, evaluating and mitigating the environmental consequences of AI usage will be vital for the long-term sustainability of such innovations.
For more information on this topic, you can read the full article on Forbes.
