Could AI Use Too Much Power and Water By 2030?

A new report from the United Nations (UN) is ringing alarm bells about how much power and water artificial intelligence (AI) could demand in the near future. It suggests that by 2030, the energy needed to run AI could be as high as 3% of the world's total electricity. To put that in perspective, that's roughly the same amount of electricity used by a country the size of the United Kingdom.

It's not just electricity; the report also highlights concerns about water usage. AI systems, especially the large data centres that power them, need a lot of water for cooling. As AI tools become more common and refined, the demand for these resources is only set to climb. The UN suggests that this could lead to AI consuming more water than we might need for drinking worldwide, which is a significant environmental and social issue to consider.

The core problem is that as AI gets better and more affordable, more people and businesses will want to use it. This increased demand could outweigh any improvements in energy efficiency that AI developers might achieve. So, while we're seeing fantastic new AI capabilities, we also need to balance that with how sustainable these technologies are in the long run.

For everyday Australians, this isn't just a technical problem; it could impact energy costs and environmental plans. It’s a good reminder that while AI offers many benefits, we also need to think about its footprint on our planet. This report serves as a timely call for governments, businesses, and developers to work together on more sustainable AI solutions.