Latest news with #energyconsumption
The Verge
29-05-2025
- Business
- The Verge
AI could consume more power than Bitcoin by the end of 2025
AI could soon surpass Bitcoin mining in energy consumption, according to a new analysis that concludes artificial intelligence could use close to half of all the electricity consumed by data centers globally by the end of 2025. The estimates come from Alex de Vries-Gao, a PhD candidate at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam Institute for Environmental Studies who has tracked cryptocurrencies' electricity consumption and environmental impact in previous research and on his website Digiconomist. He published his latest commentary on AI's growing electricity demand last week in the journal Joule. AI already accounts for up to a fifth of the electricity that data centers use, according to de Vries-Gao. It's a tricky number to pin down without big tech companies sharing data specifically on how much energy their AI models consume. De Vries-Gao had to make projections based on the supply chain for specialized computer chips used for AI. He and other researchers trying to understand AI's energy consumption have found, however, that its appetite is growing despite efficiency gains — and at a fast enough clip to warrant more scrutiny. 'Oh boy, here we go.' With alternative cryptocurrencies to Bitcoin — namely Ethereum — moving to less energy-intensive technologies, de Vries-Gao says he figured he was about to hang up his hat. And then 'ChatGPT happened,' he tells The Verge. 'I was like, Oh boy, here we go. This is another usually energy-intensive technology, especially in extremely competitive markets.' There are a couple key parallels he sees. First is a mindset of 'bigger is better.' 'We see these big tech [companies] constantly boosting the size of their models, trying to have the very best model out there, but in the meanwhile, of course, also boosting the resource demands of those models,' he says. That chase has led to a boom in new data centers for AI, particularly in the US, where there are more data centers than in any other country. Energy companies plan to build out new gas-fired power plants and nuclear reactors to meet growing electricity demand from AI. Sudden spikes in electricity demand can stress power grids and derail efforts to switch to cleaner sources of energy, problems similarly posed by new crypto mines that are essentially like data centers used to validate blockchain transactions. The other parallel de Vries-Gao sees with his previous work on crypto mining is how hard it can be to suss out how much energy these technologies are actually using and their environmental impact. To be sure, many major tech companies developing AI tools have set climate goals and include their greenhouse gas emissions in annual sustainability reports. That's how we know that both Google 's and Microsoft 's carbon footprints have grown in recent years as they focus on AI. But companies usually don't break down the data to show what's attributable to AI specifically. To figure this out, de Vries-Gao used what he calls a 'triangulation' technique. He turned to publicly available device details, analyst estimates, and companies' earnings calls to estimate hardware production for AI and how much energy that hardware will likely use. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC), which fabricates AI chips for other companies including Nvidia and AMD, saw its production capacity for packaged chips used for AI more than double between 2023 and 2024. After calculating how much specialized AI equipment can be produced, de Vries-Gao compared that to information about how much electricity these devices consume. Last year, they likely burned through as much electricity as de Vries-Gao's home country of the Netherlands, he found. He expects that number to grow closer to a country as large as the UK by the end of 2025, with power demand for AI reaching 23GW. Last week, a separate report from consulting firm ICF forecasts a 25 percent rise in electricity demand in the US by the end of the decade thanks in large part to AI, traditional data centers, and Bitcoin mining. It's still really hard to make blanket predictions about AI's energy consumption and the resulting environmental impact — a point laid out clearly in a deeply reported article published in MIT Technology Review last week with support from the Tarbell Center for AI Journalism. A person using AI tools to promote a fundraiser might create nearly twice as much carbon pollution if their queries were answered by data centers in West Virginia than in California, as an example. Energy intensity and emissions depend on a range of factors including the types of queries made, the size of the models answering those queries, and the share of renewables and fossil fuels on the local power grid feeding the data center. It's a mystery that could be solved if tech companies were more transparent It's a mystery that could be solved if tech companies were more transparent about AI in their sustainability reporting. 'The crazy amount of steps that you have to go through to be able to put any number at all on this, I think this is really absurd,' de Vries-Gao says. 'It shouldn't be this ridiculously hard. But sadly, it is.' Looking further into the future, there's even more uncertainty when it comes to whether energy efficiency gains will eventually flatten out electricity demand. DeepSeek made a splash earlier this year when it said that its AI model could use a fraction of the electricity that Meta's Llama 3.1 model does — raising questions about whether tech companies really need to be such energy hogs in order to make advances in AI. The question is whether they'll prioritize building more efficient models and abandon the 'bigger is better' approach of simply throwing more data and computing power at their AI ambitions. When Ethereum transitioned to a far more energy efficient strategy for validating transactions than Bitcoin mining, its electricity consumption suddenly dropped by 99.988 percent. Environmental advocates have pressured other blockchain networks to follow suit. But others — namely Bitcoin miners — are reluctant to abandon investments they've already made in existing hardware (nor give up other ideological arguments for sticking with old habits). There's also the risk of Jevons paradox with AI, that more efficient models will still gobble up increasing amounts of electricity because people just start to use the technology more. Either way, it'll be hard to manage the issue without measuring it first.
The Sun
26-05-2025
- Lifestyle
- The Sun
Brits waste £915MILLION every year by running the shower for minutes before getting in, research shows
BRITS are wasting up to £915 million per year – by leaving the shower running before getting in. A poll of 2,000 adults found they spend an average of 11 minutes under the water each day, sometimes for the sole reason of enjoying time to themselves. According to experts, running an 11-minute mixer shower means you will use around 132 litres of water, which typically requires 5.8 kWh of energy to heat it. While running an electric shower for the same duration will use around 54 litres of water and requires 1.9 kWh of energy. The study also revealed 43 per cent claim to regularly spend additional time in the shower – even though it only takes them a short amount of time to get clean. But while 28 per cent regularly consider water wastage when rinsing, 21 per cent admit they never do. It also emerged taking shorter showers topped the list of tactics taken to reduce water usage while washing (44 per cent). This was followed by not showering every day (27 per cent), turning it off when doing another activity like brushing teeth (27 per cent), and fixing drips and leaks immediately (19 per cent). Daniel Lintell, sustainability manager at Triton Showers, which provides hints and tips around water and energy consumption, specifically tailored to each household, said: "It can be easy to take a shower for longer than you actually need to, and many actually cherish this moment of peace when they can be by themselves during a busy day. 'The feeling of getting clean after a long day can't be beaten – but it's important to think about the impact you're having when you're in the shower. 'Finding alternative approaches to getting those few minutes of peace could be a valuable way to make sure you're doing your bit for the planet, your pocket, and yourself. 'If reducing your time spent in the shower isn't feasible – or you simply enjoy spending time there – then consider water-conserving tactics like fitting a flow regulator to a mixer shower, turning down the water flow when lathering, or using an electric shower.' The study also found 25 per cent listen to music while they shower, while 10 per cent prefer enjoying the backdrop of a podcast. While 11 per cent admitted enjoying the peace and quiet away from their busy household, and 16 per cent use their time in the shower to think something through. The average person showers five times a week – with 12 per cent even claiming they shower more than once a day in a typical week. But they run the shower for just under a minute and a half before getting in – which adds up to an average of seven minutes a week of wasted water. Half (51 per cent) also claimed to wash their hair a few times a week, with 21 per cent doing so every day. However, a forgetful 17 per cent even admitted to not always remembering to turn the shower off after they use it, according to data. Despite this, 81 per cent see themselves as environmentally conscious, with 97 per cent partaking in other eco-friendly practices – such as recycling (72 per cent), taking their own bags to the shop (66 per cent) and using energy-saving lightbulbs (55 per cent). And 61 per cent believe wasting water has a negative impact on the environment. Although, a third only had a rough idea – or less – about the amount of money they are washing down the drain with each shower. But 48 per cent cited saving money as the main thing that could motivate them to take shorter showers. Triton Showers' spokesperson added: 'As well as the environmental impact of water waste, I'd encourage shower users to think about the money they could be saving. 'The average shower currently costs the billpayer around 6p a minute – it all adds up over time, and by taking shorter showers and not leaving it running before or after you wash, you could be turning those pennies into precious pounds.'
Free Malaysia Today
25-05-2025
- Business
- Free Malaysia Today
Energy consumption for Sarawak's hydrogen production cut by half
Sarawak premier Abang Johari Openg said the state is moving towards clean hydrogen. (Ukas pic) PETLALING JAYA : Sarawak premier Abang Johari Openg has praised a joint research conducted by national oil company Petronas and a Japanese company, which he says has helped the state reduce energy consumption for hydrogen production. Abang Johari said the use of membrane technology has reduced energy consumption to 30kWh/kg from 60kWh/kg, The Borneo Post reported. 'This research not only saves energy but also helps Sarawak meet environmental, social, and governance (ESG) standards,' he was quoted as saying. He is optimistic it could be reduced even further to 10kWh/kg through Sarawak's ongoing collaboration with Germany's Siemens Energy. 'We are moving towards clean hydrogen,' he said. Abang Johari said clean energy development will be a significant contribution by Sarawak and Malaysia towards creating a more sustainable and environmentally friendly world. It was reported in February that Sarawak is aiming to become Asean's green hydrogen hub, by leveraging its hydropower resources and international collaborations to build a low-carbon hydrogen supply chain.
Forbes
11-05-2025
- Forbes
AI Isn't Human, But You Should Treat It Like It Is
Photo credit In a world increasingly driven by artificial intelligence, how we interact with technology may seem trivial—until you consider the cost. According to OpenAI CEO Sam Altman in a post on X, common courtesies like saying 'please' and 'thank you' in prompts have cost the company a considerable amount of money. These pleasantries, while seemingly benign, take extra processing power, increasing electricity use and, ultimately, expense. But what if those extra words aren't just fluff? What if, instead of being wasteful, those small, human gestures are actually the key to working effectively with AI? AI tools like ChatGPT, Gemini, and Claude process massive volumes of information with every user interaction. Because large language models (LLMs) run on server farms that consume vast amounts of energy, every additional word counts toward compute time and energy consumption. Altman's comment–discounting your mother's sage advice–was an honest observation of actual costs. But it sparked an important conversation about how we interact with AI, and whether politeness should be sacrificed in the name of efficiency. While it's true that being polite adds characters to a prompt and might increase energy consumption, the benefits of those extra words outweigh the costs—especially when you consider the quality of the results. Here's why. Many people approach AI like they're searching in Google: enter a few keywords, hit enter, and hope for a useful output. But generative AI isn't a search engine. It's a partner in problem-solving. And like any partner, the quality of your interaction matters. One of the most overlooked best practices when using AI tools is to treat AI like a person. Thats one of 17 simple AI best practices that make AI interactions more meaningful. Approaching AI like a human interaction doesn't mean attributing emotions or consciousness to your chatbot, but rather engaging in a thoughtful, respectful conversation. Just like you wouldn't bark vague instructions at an intern or colleague and expect stellar results, you shouldn't expect great responses from AI when you treat it like a search engine. Approach AI like a collaborative partner and you'll be more likely to include phrases like "please write this in a more conversational tone" or "thank you, that was helpful—now can you reframe it for a younger, more tech-savvy audience?" These courtesies naturally extend from a more human-centered approach to interacting with technology. And as it turns out, they often lead to significantly better outcomes. When you engage in a conversational way, AI responds more precisely and thoroughly. That reduces the need for repeated prompting, rephrasing, and clarification—saving you time and improving overall efficiency. In this context, politeness isn't just about being nice. It's a strategic choice that helps: Rather than a drain on resources, this approach actually optimizes AI interactions, reducing the need for rework. Over time, that translates to faster outcomes and better results—making your AI interaction more energy-efficient, not less. But there's another angle to this: how it makes us feel. Our brains are wired for social interaction. Even when we know we're speaking to a machine, our default behaviors kick in. We're more comfortable, more open, and often more articulate when we engage respectfully—even if our conversation partner is made of silicon and copper instead of flesh and bones. According to a December 2024 study by Future, the media company behind TechRadar, about 67% of U.S. AI users report being polite to AI tools. In the UK, the number is slightly higher at 71%. Interestingly, 12% of respondents admitted that they are polite to AI out of fear. They worry that rudeness might come back to haunt them if AI systems ever become more autonomous (that's a topic for a future article). While that fear might seem like science fiction, it underscores how deeply we internalize the rules of human interaction—even when we know the entity we're engaging with isn't human. That instinctive response might actually be working in our favor. And it comes with one added benefit. Your interaction with AI tools will likely increase over time. If you don't extend these to your AI partner, that lack of politesse could rub off on your interactions with your human partners, and no one wants to live in a world without that type of civility. The shift from one-way commands to two-way collaboration is one of the most important evolutions in human-computer interaction. Treating AI as a partner, not a tool, is not just more productive—it's more aligned with the reality of the way these platforms are designed to work. They're trained on human conversation, after all. They're built to engage in nuance, context, and dialogue. When we embrace that reality, stop reducing our prompts to search terms, and start treating them like conversations, we can maximize the power of generative AI. When we were all thrown into remote work and endless online meetings during Covid, companies didn't have time to teach employees how to make the most of these digital interactions. As a result, many people never learned the skills or adopted the mindsets necessary to engage effectively in virtual interactions. For organizations embracing AI, the takeaway is clear: teach your teams how to talk to AI like they would to a trusted teammate. Encourage full sentences. Promote clarity and tone. Reward curiosity. And importantly, support a little old-fashioned politeness. Doing so not only improves outcomes, it builds a culture of thoughtful communication—something that can ripple across the organization beyond just your AI use. The communication skills that are essential today have evolved, and being able to communicate with AI is a critical one. By training teams AI best practices, companies will help them think more clearly about what they're asking for, which can lead to better strategy, clearer project scope, and faster execution. Yes, saying 'please' and 'thank you' to AI may increase operational costs, but the return on that investment is real. Higher-quality responses, faster turnaround, and a more enjoyable interaction are just the start. The real win is in how it helps us become better communicators, clearer thinkers, and more effective problem solvers. The next time you type a prompt, don't worry if it's a little long. Add the context. Set the tone. Say 'please' when you ask. Say 'thank you' when you're done, because in the age of AI, good manners aren't just polite—they're productive. William Arruda is a keynote speaker, author, and personal branding pioneer. Join him as he discusses clever strategies for using AI to express and expand your brand in Maven's free Lightning Lesson. If you can't attend live, register to receive the replay.
