Depletion of natural environmental resources by AIGCs such as ChatGPT needs attention.

in the wake ofartificial intelligence (AI)(AI) technology is developing rapidly and its application is becoming more and more widespread around the world. However, the popularization and large-scale application of this technology has also brought about a number of environmental problems, the most concerning of which is the water consumption of AI. According to a recent research report, the amount of water consumed toChatGPTAsking 10 questions or consuming the equivalent of half a liter of water, and by 2027 global AI water consumption could reach a staggering 6.6 billion cubic meters. This is a shocking figure that has sparked theAI technologyReflections on the sustainability of development.

First of all, the water consumption of AI technology mainly comes from the hardware facilities behind it. Training and running big AI models requires a lot of computational resources, and these computational resources need a lot of cooling water to keep them running properly. Google, for example, uses a staggering 21.2 billion liters of water in 2022, a figure that is backed by a huge cluster of data centers and servers.

However, AI's water consumption is not an insurmountable challenge. In fact, as technology advances and environmental awareness increases, companies and research organizations are actively exploring more sustainable solutions. Examples include adopting more efficient cooling technologies and water-saving equipment, as well as developing more environmentally friendly data center design solutions.

In addition, AI technology itself can provide assistance in solving water resource problems. Through AI algorithms and big data analytics, we can more accurately predict and manage the use of water resources for more sustainable development. For example, AI can be used to optimize agricultural irrigation schemes, improve industrial water efficiency, and monitor and manage urban water use.

The development of AI technology brings great opportunities and challenges. While pursuing technological advances, we must also pay attention to the environmental issues behind them, especially the use and consumption of water resources. By adopting sustainable solutions and utilizing the potential of AI technology itself, we can achieve sustainable development of AI technology and create a better future for humanity.