The Hidden Cost of AI: A Looming Energy Crisis
Significant amounts of water and energy are required to cool servers and other devices housed in massive data centers owned by tech giants, where colossal amounts of data are stored and processed.
The growing demand for cloud computing services presents a threat to the preservation of clean water resources and poses significant challenges in meeting the increasing energy consumption, leading to alternative searches that are equally problematic.
Despite highlighting the gravity of the situation, a piece of news that appeared in bulletins about three months ago unfortunately failed to garner much attention. According to the report, Microsoft signed an agreement to reopen a nuclear power plant in Pennsylvania, USA, which was shut down in 1979 due to a partial meltdown, to meet the growing energy demands of artificial intelligence.
While the facility is planned to resume operations in 2028 following planned improvements, Microsoft has committed to purchasing all the energy produced for 20 years, should the plan be approved by authorities.
This plant, known for being the site of the worst nuclear accident in U.S. history, experienced a partial meltdown in Unit 2’s reactor core due to a loss of cooling fluid, leading to the release of radioactive gases and iodine into the environment. Following this incident, the highly radioactive core was sealed in concrete. While the incident resulted in no deaths or injuries, plans to reactivate this still-closed facility have caused significant panic and backlash among local residents.
Despite all the reactions, the improvements planned for the facility aim to generate 835 megawatts of electricity, enough to power approximately 800,000 homes, to meet the energy needs of Microsoft’s artificial intelligence applications, particularly in data processing centers.
Technology is advancing and spreading so rapidly that it takes time to recognize its effects not only on our health but also on a sustainable future. While our individual contributions may seem limited, awareness and sensitivity are crucial for fostering collective consciousness…
