Introducing a New Coalition Blog Series: “AI & the Environment”
In multiple installments, Coalition members will explore the environmental impacts of AI by examining energy, water, public health, and more.
By Leila Doty, Eleonor Bounds, & Lindsey Washburn
If you’ve kept a pulse on AI news over the past year, you've probably heard that AI’s impact on the environment is significant, to say the least.
New studies reveal that AI is, in fact, an energy hog. For example:
A ChatGPT query uses up to 10 times as much electricity as a traditional Google search.
GPT-3 needs to “drink” (i.e., consume) a 500ml bottle of water for roughly 10 – 50 medium length responses.
By 2030, an estimated 200 Terra Watt hours (TWh), or 1.6% of total US electricity consumption will come from AI. This translates to more electricity consumption than all refrigerators in the US combined.
So, AI is an energy hog. Does that mean we should stop using it?
Well, it’s complicated.
In a new GovAI Coalition blog series, inspired by a panel discussion at the 2024 GovAI Coalition Summit, we plan to navigate that very question from the perspective of local government practitioners.
As bureaucrats ourselves, we’ve seen firsthand just how transformative AI can be for public agencies that are chronically under resourced and underfunded. From automating pothole detection to expanding language access, the possibilities for AI in local government are truly exciting.
At the same time, we cannot ignore the negative externalities that the widespread use of AI, especially GenAI, has begun to inflict on the communities we serve. And like many other issues, the environmental impacts of AI are felt at a local level.
The data centers that power AI are often located near or in the center of residential neighborhoods. Their intense electricity demands put a sizable strain on the municipal grid. To keep servers cool, they consume and withdraw water from regional aqueducts. And the newly emerging negative health impacts of data centers are felt by the people living in local communities.
We believe that when used responsibly, AI can be a force for good. We also recognize the environmental threat that AI poses. So, how should local governments be thinking about this issue, and what can we do to address these concerns?
In multiple installments, we will explore the environmental impacts of AI by examining energy, water, public health, and more. As we raise awareness of these issues, we aim to offer concrete paths forward for public agencies.
One of those concrete approaches we plan to delve into is public procurement. Since its creation, one of the Coalition’s founding goals is to leverage governments’ procurement power to promote greater transparency around AI systems and accountability of vendors. There is power in numbers, and we've already seen increased transparency from the Coalition’s efforts. Addressing the environmental concerns of AI can take a similar approach. By requiring vendors to disclose the energy and water impacts of their products (e.g., via the newly updated AI FactSheet), governments can signal their prioritization of this issue and begin to shift industry practices.
Through this blog series, we aim to engage with a variety of perspectives and create space for nuanced conversations. We hope that you find some of what we choose to explore helpful and thought-provoking. The environmental impacts of AI are a challenge that experts in the field are only beginning to understand. We believe that public sector agencies will play a critical role in ensuring that AI systems are used in a manner that mitigates harm to the environment. We recognize that addressing this emerging issue won’t be easy, but we’re also confident that together, Coalition members can better understand and meaningfully engage with the environmental impacts of AI.
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The three of us are passionate about the environmental impacts of AI and what governments can do about the problem. We will each bring our own unique perspectives to this issue, so here’s a bit more about us:
Leila: My work is motivated by a critical hope that a more equitable technological future is within our reach. I've seen firsthand the transformative power of AI, especially in local government. At the same time, I've seen the harm that AI and other technologies can inflict, too often on vulnerable communities. And born and bred in California where drought and wildfires are more newsworthy when they're not happening, it's top of mind for me how the growing use of AI might exacerbate climate catastrophe. I’m fortunate to work on these issues as a Privacy and AI Analyst at the City of San José. How can we create a world where AI works for everyone? And what role should local governments play in creating that world? I’m grateful to explore these questions, and more, with the Coalition.
Eleonor: I live in (and love) Seattle, and I’m fortunate to work for the City as a Privacy & Responsible AI Analyst as well as support compliance work related to our local Surveillance Ordinance. Water use and management informs most things I do and think about; it has always been an indicator of the health of our societies and planet whether or not we think of it directly. My educational background is a mixed bag but it consists of a focus in Microbiology, Psychology, Literature and Philosophy (specifically AI) - I have one masters in Social Sciences as well as a second in Infrastructure Planning (water and AI focused) as well as having a Cybersecurity lens. AI intersects with all of these areas, so I’m excited to understand more about the connection points and how they relate to the big picture as we serve our communities both locally and at scale.
Lindsey: As someone who grew up in the Pacific Northwest, it wasn’t until living somewhere else that I appreciated its true beauty. I returned to Portland a few years ago and now work for the City of Tigard, a suburb of about 55,000 just southwest of Portland. I work as the Sustainability Manager for the City of Tigard and lead our AI governance efforts. I’m constantly weighing the tradeoffs of technology and the environment and am deeply fascinated by the potential of AI while very concerned about its insatiable demand for energy. I’m grateful for the thoughtful and supportive community that the GovAI Coalition ignited and look forward to working on these tough problems together.
About the authors
Leila Doty is a Privacy and AI Analyst at the City of San José.
Eleonor Bounds is a Senior Analyst in Data Privacy and Responsible AI at the City of Seattle.
Lindsey Washburn is the Program Manager for Strategic Initiatives at the City of Tigard, Oregon.
Note: The opinions expressed in these articles are solely those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views, positions, or policies of the GovAI Coalition or the authors’ affiliated professional organization(s).
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This is the blog for the GovAI Coalition, a coalition of local, state, and federal agencies united in their mission to promote responsible and purposeful AI in the public sector.
