Artificial Intelligence (AI) has transformed how we work, making tasks more efficient and driving innovation. But as AI becomes a critical tool in business, we must consider its environmental impact.
In this article, we’ll explore the factors contributing to AI’s carbon footprint and share how businesses can make their AI use more efficient and sustainable.
The Environmental Cost of AI
Developing and running AI systems require vast computational power, which consumes significant energy.
Did you know that AI in the UK already consumes 7% of our total power?
Or that a single data centre can use as much energy as 50,000 homes?
Here’s a closer look at what drives AI’s environmental impact:
- Data Centres: The servers that power AI algorithms are housed in massive data centres, which consume enormous amounts of electricity for both computing and cooling. In 2020, data centres accounted for approximately 1% of global electricity consumption. That’s a pretty significant chunk of energy usage!
- Training AI Models: The process of training AI models, particularly deep learning models, requires substantial computational resources. A study by the University of Massachusetts found that training a single large AI model can emit as much carbon dioxide as five cars over their lifetimes. It’s mind-boggling when you think about it.
- Hardware Production: The manufacturing of AI-specific hardware, such as GPUs and TPUs, also contributes to the technology’s carbon footprint. The production of these components requires rare earth metals and other resources, the extraction of which can have significant environmental consequences. It’s not just about the energy used to run AI, but also the resources needed to create the hardware.
How to Make AI More Sustainable
Despite these challenges, businesses can take proactive steps to ensure their AI use is greener:
- Optimise AI Algorithms: By refining AI algorithms to be more efficient, businesses can reduce the computational power required to run them. This not only minimises energy consumption but also lowers costs. It’s a win-win situation!
- Embrace Cloud Computing: Cloud-based AI solutions can be more energy-efficient than on-premises systems, as cloud providers often invest in renewable energy and optimise their data centres for energy efficiency. Moving to the cloud can be a great way to reduce your AI’s carbon footprint.
- Prioritise Renewable Energy: Businesses can reduce the carbon footprint of their AI use by opting for renewable energy sources, such as solar or wind power, to fuel their data centres and computing infrastructure. It’s all about making greener choices.
- Collaborate with Sustainable IT Partners: Partnering with IT service providers that prioritise sustainability can help businesses ensure their AI use aligns with their environmental goals. Look for partners that invest in renewable energy, implement energy-efficient practices, and actively work to reduce their carbon footprint. It’s important to work with like-minded organisations that share your values.
IT Naturally: Empowering Sustainable AI
At IT Naturally, we recognise the importance of balancing the power of AI with environmental responsibility. As a leading managed service provider, we are committed to helping our clients harness the benefits of AI while minimising its environmental impact.
As a certified B Corp, we are proud to say that we:
- Have appointed two AI Champions, Gerald Mazhawidza and Paul Zediu, to spearhead our AI initiatives. Their mission is to explore the full potential of MS Copilot, develop internal and customer-facing use cases, and stay ahead of the curve on AI trends across all products and tools, ensuring that we harness the power of AI responsibly and effectively for the benefit of our customers and team.
- Offset our carbon emissions through our partnership with Ecologi
- Collaborate with ICEX to manage IT assets’ lifecycles securely. This partnership means we can responsibly dispose of and recycle IT hardware, minimising the environmental impact of AI-related hardware production and disposal.
AI is revolutionising the workplace, but it’s crucial to consider its environmental cost. By adopting sustainable AI practices, partnering with eco-conscious IT providers, and prioritising greener solutions, businesses can harness AI’s power while minimising their carbon footprint.
Want to find out more about working with us? Get in touch with our friendly team to discuss your needs.
