With ChatGPT's weekly user base exceeding 300 million, concerns are rising about the environmental impact of generative AI. AI expert Professor Kate Crawford has warned that the rapid growth of these systems requires a focus on sustainability.
Speaking at the Victoria State Library, Crawford highlighted the urgent need to reduce the global carbon footprint. She argued that the tech industry shouldn't be focusing on winning the "AI race" but rather prioritizing sustainability.
"We are under enormous pressure to try to decarbonise by mid-century...You can’t outrun climate change. So even for tech billionaires, this should be an issue..." - Professor Kate Crawford
Crawford compared each ChatGPT query to wasting half a liter of water, emphasizing the hidden environmental costs of these systems.
"We’re wasting a lot of water with these systems...That’s why I think personally the No.1 priority for the sector should be sustainability. Not the AI race.” - Professor Kate Crawford
Two years after ChatGPT's launch, Crawford believes it's time to assess its true usefulness and its impact on society. She advocates for generative AI to contribute positively to society rather than exacerbating environmental problems.
