In Short:
AI data centers are booming but consume vast energy, raising sustainability concerns. Some companies propose underwater data centers to cool their GPUs using seawater. However, simply placing them in the ocean isn’t a guaranteed fix for their environmental impact. This week on Gadget Lab, WIRED’s Paresh Dave and Reece Rogers discuss these challenges and the tech’s toll on the environment.
The emergence of AI data centers has sparked considerable interest, particularly as generative AI services rely heavily on large language models to provide responses. This computational demand results in significant energy consumption, prompting critical discourse regarding the sustainability of such technologies and their environmental implications. Some innovative companies propose an alternative solution: establishing underwater data centers that utilize seawater for cooling, thereby enhancing temperature management for the high-demand GPUs housed within. However, the simplistic notion of submerging data centers is not always a guaranteed method for mitigating environmental impact.
This week on Gadget Lab, WIRED writers Paresh Dave and Reece Rogers engage in a discussion surrounding their investigative reporting on underwater data centers and the broader repercussions of AI systems on the environment.
Show Notes
Readers can explore Paresh and Reece’s article detailing plans for an underwater data center in the San Francisco Bay. Additional insights can be found in Reece’s analyses of the current hyper-consumption era of AI, as well as guidance on navigating the pervasive AI hype. Other relevant works include Lauren’s examination of a social network solely populated by bots, and Karen Hao’s piece in The Atlantic, which discusses how companies like Microsoft are sourcing water from arid regions for AI cooling systems. Furthermore, readers may find an engaging article about the character Harper from Industry on the Black Cat substack. For ongoing coverage of AI and climate issues, follow WIRED.
Recommendations
Paresh suggests exploring cookbooks from local libraries, while Reece highly recommends the soundtrack from the first Twilight movie to complement autumn vibes. For television viewers, Lauren endorses the HBO series Industry, and Mike references an insightful profile of bicycle designer Grant Peterson by Anna Weiner in The New Yorker.
Follow Reece Rogers on social media @thiccreese. Paresh Dave can be found @peard33. Lauren Goode is active @LaurenGoode, and Michael Calore can be followed @[email protected]. Stay connected with the show’s main hotline @GadgetLab. The production of the show is managed by Boone Ashworth (@booneashworth), with theme music composed by Solar Keys.
How to Listen
Listeners can access this week’s podcast using the audio player provided on this page. For those interested in subscribing for free to receive each episode, here are the options:
If you utilize an iPhone or iPad, access the Podcasts application or simply click this link. Alternatively, download apps like Overcast or Pocket Casts and search for Gadget Lab. For Android users, the podcast is available through the Google Podcasts app, easily found by tapping here. Additionally, Gadget Lab is present on Spotify. For those in need, here’s the RSS feed.
