OPINION:
Continuing use of artificial intelligence is inevitable. The genie has already escaped the bottle. Obviously, its use in medical and scientific research is and will continue to be invaluable. I truly wonder, however, whether the benefits of our continuing casual use of it will outweigh the costs.
There are very real problems associated with maintaining massive AI data centers. Cooling the circuitry needed to create AI requires millions of gallons of water annually, and that water becomes both hot and contaminated by trace heavy metals. It must be extensively treated and cooled before it can be recycled.
Generating AI also requires massive amounts of electrical energy, so much so that some AI providers are planning to build nuclear plants nearby, solely dedicated to the data center. Other data centers will pull their power from an already overburdened grid.
Alarmingly, in an effort to address these issues, China has begun building massive underwater data centers off Shanghai, using seawater and offshore wind to cut cooling costs and energy use. At first glance, this seems a genius solution. However, before we think about adopting it, we should first ask ourselves how using ocean water to continuously cool massive data centers will affect the health of our oceans and sea life. Many are already alarmed at the effects of warming ocean water due to our changing climate.
Finally, it seems obvious to me that casual use of AI should be reexamined. It is the casual use by all of us that is driving the need for huge data centers. As has happened with computers, which are now found in everything from automobiles to toasters, AI is already being used frivolously. We may find that having a 24/7 invisible assistant and instantaneous access to trivia is really not worth the price we’ll have to pay for it.
KATHY DEMAY
Knightdale, North Carolina
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