The rapid growth of artificial intelligence (AI) is driving innovation worldwide, but its environmental impact is raising questions.
In New Zealand, tech giants like Microsoft and CDC are establishing hyperscale data centers, while Amazon Web Services plans to follow suit.
These developments reflect the increasing reliance on AI for tasks ranging from web searches to complex modeling, a trend that comes with significant energy demands.
According to Goldman Sachs, a single ChatGPT query consumes nearly 10 times the electricity of a Google search.
By 2030, global data centers could double their power usage, contributing up to 2.5 billion metric tons of CO₂ annually, as per Morgan Stanley.
Despite these numbers, many companies, including Microsoft, aim to reduce their carbon footprint.
Microsoft’s new data center in Auckland is powered entirely by renewable energy through a partnership with Contact Energy.
The 10-year deal enabled Contact to develop the Te Huka geothermal facility, ensuring a sustainable power source.
Impressively, this center is also designed to operate without water cooling, addressing environmental concerns about water-intensive data centers in arid regions.
Responsible AI: Harnessing technology while preserving the planet’s resources.However, the broader climate impact of AI remains a global issue. While New Zealand benefits from a renewable energy mix, AI operations often rely on servers located elsewhere.
Environmentalists like Izzy Fenwick highlight the unnecessary use of AI for trivial tasks, emphasizing the need for ethical and purposeful AI applications.
Rebecca Mills of The Lever Room argues that when used strategically, AI can help combat climate change. For instance, it can optimize energy routes or measure carbon sequestration more efficiently.
The challenge lies in balancing the potential of AI with its environmental costs, ensuring that sustainability remains a priority.
As AI adoption continues to soar, the focus must shift toward developing energy-efficient solutions and promoting responsible usage to minimize its ecological footprint.