Mindful Use Of AI: A Call To Conserve Energy

Richard Foster FletcherMay 14, 2024

Prompt: “Is ChatGPT designed to use less computational power and save energy when answering simple, fact-based questions, instead of engaging its full, complex AI processes?”

Answer: “No, ChatGPT does not reduce its computational power for simpler questions. It uses the same process for all types of queries, whether complex or simple.”

Ok! So, we’re using the full computational power of AI to find out “What is the capital city of France?”. This is nuts…

— Mindful Use of AI: A Call to Conserve Energy

So here are my thoughts on this – as we integrate AI into our daily operations and decision-making processes, it’s crucial to pause and consider the environmental implications of our technological choices. A fascinating aspect of AI models like ChatGPT is their uniform approach to problem-solving, whether the task at hand is creating intricate marketing strategies or simply identifying the winner of a notable sports event.

However, this uniformity in processing comes with a hidden cost – energy consumption.

Regardless of the query’s complexity, ChatGPT engages its full computational capabilities, which, in turn, consumes a significant amount of energy. This raises an important question: Are we using AI models efficiently for tasks that could be resolved with less energy-intensive methods?

This is not a call to reduce our use of AI but to use it more wisely. As we stand on the brink of AI transforming every facet of our lives, let us also steer the conversation towards sustainable usage. Let’s reserve our AI resources for problems that truly require their advanced capabilities, and opt for simpler solutions when appropriate. This approach not only conserves energy but also aligns with our broader commitments to sustainability and responsible innovation.

In embracing AI, let’s also embrace the responsibility that comes with it. By making conscious choices about when and how we use these powerful tools, we can mitigate their environmental impact while still benefiting from their incredible capabilities.

Written by

Richard Foster-Fletcher

Richard stands at the forefront of ethical artificial intelligence as an AI Advisor, Author, Speaker, and LinkedIn Top Voice. He is the visionary behind MKAI.org (Morality and Knowledge in Artificial Intelligence), an initiative dedicated to fostering AI’s responsible development and application. Through his stewardship of the Boundless Podcast, Richard delves into discussions about AI inclusivity and digital ethics, contributing to a more equitable technological future. His profound insights have illuminated lecture halls at globally renowned institutions, including the London School of Economics (LSE), University College London (UCL), Oxford University, and Imperial College London, guiding the next generation of tech leaders.

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