AI’s Energy Usage and Emissions Are Set to Increase Dramatically
It’s widely known that the recent surge in AI development is consuming a vast amount of energy. We now have a clearer picture of the extent of this consumption.
A new study by researchers at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health analyzed 78% of data centers in the U.S. These data centers, which are essentially large buildings packed with servers, are where AI models are trained and accessed, such as when using ChatGPT. These servers demand significant energy not only to operate but also to be kept cool.
Since 2018, carbon emissions from U.S. data centers have tripled. Although it’s challenging to determine exactly how much AI contributes to this increase, its influence is undoubtedly growing as various sectors of the economy try to integrate AI technology.
Read the full story.
Google Shows Off Big Tech’s Influence
This week, Google has been rolling out and announcing a series of new products and updates as the holiday season approaches. These developments are significant not only for Google but also reflect the overarching power of the tech industry—highlighting a desire to channel this influence toward more meaningful purposes. Read more here.
This article originally appeared in The Debrief with Mat Honan, our weekly analysis of the biggest tech news. The article is for subscribers only, so consider subscribing if you haven’t yet! You can also sign up for the free newsletter to receive the next edition in your inbox on Friday.
Today’s Top Reads
I’ve searched the internet to bring you some of today’s most interesting and important stories about technology.
1. Mysterious drones have been spotted along the U.S. East Coast
These sightings are causing quite a stir. (BBC)
Authorities note that sometimes these are just small planes. (Wired)
Trump suggests they should be shot down. (Politico)
2. TikTok might be removed from app stores by January 19
Recently, a U.S. appeals court upheld a law requiring ByteDance to divest. (Reuters)
The reasoning behind this ban could pave the way for more regulations that limit free speech. (Atlantic)
Influencers are planning their strategies for a post-TikTok world. (Business Insider)
Efforts to save TikTok continue. (Verge)
The grim reality of the impending ban. (MIT Technology Review)
3. Serbian authorities are using phone-cracking tools to install spyware
Activists and journalists discovered their phones had been altered after encounters with the police. (404 Media)
4. Cellphone videos are contributing to violence in U.S. schools
Students are using phones to coordinate, instigate, and record fights in school corridors. (NYT)
5. AI search startup Perplexity projects $10.5 million monthly revenue next year
The company is in talks to raise funds at a $9 billion valuation. (The Information)
AI search could disrupt the internet. (MIT Technology Review)
6. How Musk’s collaboration with Trump could affect science
Even if he can’t make all the cuts he wants, Musk’s influence could still lead to significant changes. (Nature)
Is eliminating the IRS his worst idea yet? (Washington Post)
The leading cybersecurity agency is preparing for Trump. (Wired)
Trump’s victory is a major setback for climate efforts. (MIT Technology Review)
7. AI companies will search worldwide for affordable energy
Finding low-cost power is crucial for the industry. (Wired)
The industry has an insatiable appetite for energy. (Bloomberg)
8. Anthropic’s Claude is gaining popularity among tech insiders
While not as large as ChatGPT, it has a unique appeal. (NYT)
A new Character.ai chatbot designed for teens will avoid romantic themes. (Verge)
How to discern trustworthy information from chatbots. (MIT Technology Review)
9. The response to the UnitedHealthcare CEO’s murder may lead to a reevaluation
Algorithmic decision-making in healthcare reduces people to mere data points. (Vanity Fair)
Luigi Mangione’s significance. (Atlantic)
10. China’s satellite megaprojects are challenging Starlink
Projects like Qianfan, Guo Wang, and Honghu-3 could have a comparable number of satellites. (CNBC)
Quote of the Day
“We’ve achieved peak data and there’ll be no more.”
OpenAI’s cofounder and former chief scientist, Ilya Sutskever, stated at the NeurIPS conference that the way AI models are trained will need to evolve.
The Big Story
How to Prevent a State from Sinking – April 2024
Between 2020 and 2021, southwest Louisiana experienced five climate-related disasters, including two severe hurricanes. More storms are expected, and many areas remain unprepared.
However, some government officials and state engineers are exploring an alternative: elevation. The $6.8 billion Southwest Coastal Louisiana Project aims to raise homes by a few feet and restore coastal lands, helping residents stay in their communities.
This effort is seen as a last-ditch attempt to preserve the coastline, even as some residents move inland and plans for managed retreat become more prevalent in climate-vulnerable regions globally. Read the full story.
—Xander Peters
We Can Still Enjoy Life’s Pleasures
A space for comfort, fun, and distraction to brighten your day. Got any ideas? Drop me a line or tweet them at me.
+ Try your jigsaw puzzles on “hard mode” for a challenge.
+ Mr. Tickle is a mischievous character who might need to be stopped. 🧩
+ A Christmas song that many of us might relate to, if we’re honest.
+ If the original Home Alone was painful to watch in terms of injuries, the sequel is even more so.
+ The best crispy roast potatoes ever? You be the judge.
