chatgpt
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AI-driven misinformation on climate change is a growing threat
AI tools like Bard and ChatGPT have been found to generate and spread climate change misinformation, raising concerns about their potential impact on public opinion.
In short:
- Studies show that AI tools like Bard and ChatGPT can fabricate climate misinformation, making it harder to distinguish real science from fake.
- AI-generated misinformation can be spread via synthetic media, social bots, and algorithms that tailor content based on users’ biases.
- Researchers are developing AI tools to counter misinformation, but they face challenges such as “hallucinations” and the rapid pace of AI advancement.
Key quote:
“ ... researchers have suggested that AI is being used to emotionally profile audiences to optimize content for political gain.”
— Asheley R. Landrum, associate professor at the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication and a senior global futures scientist at Arizona State University
Why this matters:
AI-generated climate misinformation threatens to undermine trust in science. Its ability to spread rapidly and persuasively, especially on social media, makes it a significant challenge for combating climate disinformation and influencing public policy.
Related: Fossil fuel industry spreads misinformation to hinder global shift to renewable energy
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AI's environmental cost includes massive water and power usage
Each query processed by AI tools like ChatGPT requires significant water and electricity for server cooling, contributing to environmental strain, particularly in areas facing resource shortages.
Pranshu Verma and Shelly Tan report for The Washington Post.
In short:
- ChatGPT consumes about 519 milliliters of water to generate a 100-word email, illustrating the hidden environmental costs of AI usage.
- Data centers, essential for AI operation, use enormous amounts of water and energy, depending on regional factors like heat and electricity prices.
- Big tech companies have committed to greener practices, but their water use and carbon emissions continue to rise.
Key quote:
“AI can be energy-intensive and that’s why we are constantly working to improve efficiency.”
— Kayla Wood, spokesperson for OpenAI
Why this matters:
AI's rapidly growing use adds strain to already taxed water and energy supplies, particularly in vulnerable areas. This highlights the need for better sustainable practices in the tech industry to reduce long-term environmental impacts.
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Credit: Gerd Altmann/Pixabay
AI's impact on the environment: a growing concern
Generative AI's rapid expansion raises environmental alarms, with its significant energy and water usage drawing scrutiny from policymakers.
In short:
- The explosion of AI technology, exemplified by OpenAI's ChatGPT, has led to increased carbon emissions and millions of gallons of fresh water consumption.
- New legislative efforts, like those in the U.S. and EU, aim to assess and regulate AI's environmental footprint, focusing on energy consumption and resource use.
- While AI has potential environmental benefits, its current large-scale deployment raises concerns about sustainability and resource competition.
Key quote:
"The development of the next generation of AI tools cannot come at the expense of the health of our planet."
— Massachusetts Senator Edward Markey
Why this matters:
The environmental impact of AI, particularly on water resources and carbon emissions, isn't just about the technology's advancements but its sustainability, especially as AI becomes more integrated into various aspects of life. This topic is vital for understanding the balance between technological progress and environmental responsibility.
Climate change: For big emissions reductions, we need to think small.
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Photo by Hitesh Choudhary on Unsplash
AI contributes to climate change—here's how to make it cleaner technology
The environmental impact of AI contributes to climate change, and should be addressed, experts say. But AI can also help improve inefficient processes and reduce global warming.
commons.wikimedia.org
Can artificial intelligence help cool the planet?
To some activists, ChatGPT seems like a useful tool for the climate movement. But skeptics warn that the benefits are outweighed by the costs—including misinformation and increased emissions.
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