Posted 3/9/2024, 11:00:00 AM
Bitcoin and AI Drive Massive Electricity Use, Raising Sustainability Worries
- Bitcoin mining and AI systems like ChatGPT consume massive amounts of electricity, raising sustainability concerns
- In 2022, bitcoin mining used as much electricity as the Netherlands and produced CO2 emissions on par with Morocco
- Generative AI could increase Google's electricity demands to rival medium-sized nations if integrated into search
- Data centers currently account for 4% of US electricity use, expected to rise to 6% by 2026 as crypto and AI grow
- Policy measures like disclosure rules are needed to track energy use, but tech breakthroughs in renewable energy may also be necessary