The Download: Google’s AI energy expenditure, and handing over DNA data to the police
1 min read
Summary
In the first instance, Google has released data on the energy consumption of its AI, revealing that the middle-of-the-road prompt uses 0.24 Wh of electricity, equivalent to one second’s worth of microwave heating.
Google has also provided details on the water and carbon emissions associated with its AI text prompts.
MIT Technology Review believes this is the most transparent estimate yet from a major tech firm regarding AI energy usage.
The magazine also reports on a report concerning the police finding a suspect in the Golden State Killer case, who had eluded them for decades, by using genetic genealogy.
It also looks at a new academic conference which will be attended by AI, studying work researched, written and reviewed by AI.
In other news, Russia is planning to release a state-backed messenger app, pre-installed on all phones, which critics are concerned is a governmental spy tool.