“Do as I say, not as I do!”
“Do as I say, not as I do!”
Dow, S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite all hit new highs as favourable data allows potential rate cuts to get ever closer – September 2024 looks likely
All three major indices closed at records on 15th May 2024
The Dow climbed 0.88%, while the S&P 500 gained 1.17%, ending the session above 5,300 for the first time. The tech-related Nasdaq Composite closed higher by 1.40%.
Dow closed at a new high of: 39908
S&P 500 closed at a new high of: 5308
Nasdaq Composite closed at a new high of: 39908
“Water does not resist. Water flows. When you plunge your hand into it, all you feel is a caress. Water is not a solid wall, it will not stop you. But water always goes where it wants to go, and nothing in the end can stand against it. Water is patient. Dripping water wears away a stone. Remember that, my child. Remember you are half water. If you can’t go through an obstacle, go around it. Water does.” – Margaret Atwood
Margaret Atwood – born 1939
“Water does not resist. Water flows. When you plunge your hand into it, all you feel is a caress. Water is not a solid wall, it will not stop you. But water always goes where it wants to go, and nothing in the end can stand against it. Water is patient. Dripping water wears away a stone. Remember that, my child. Remember you are half water. If you can’t go through an obstacle, go around it. Water does.”
― Margaret Atwood, The Penelopiad.
AI’s excessive water consumption should be of international concern
As artificial intelligence (AI) continues its rapid advancement, we must confront its environmental footprint. Beyond energy consumption, AI’s demand for water is a critical concern that demands attention.
AI data centres require cooling, and substantial amounts of fresh water are utilized for this purpose. Additionally, water is consumed in the mining and production of AI-related hardware.
The production of AI hardware utilizes and contaminates water due to the mining of rare materials like silicon, germanium, gallium, boron, lithium, gold, copper and phosphorus. The extraction of these minerals is resource-intensive and significantly affects the environment, leading to water pollution. AI is hungry for power too – the amount of additional energy required to run an AI data centre is far greater.
AI water footprint
The water consumption associated with AI is not limited to its operational phase. AI hardware production requires intensive mining for rare materials such as silicon, germanium, gallium, boron, and phosphorus. The extraction of these minerals has a substantial environmental impact and contributes to water pollution.
Additionally, AI systems’ water use extends to the production of related hardware. The extensive deployment of AI compounds this problem, putting pressure on the drinking water supplies of local communities. With the increasing adoption of AI, there is additional strain on municipalities, agriculture, and various industries that are already facing challenges due to drought and scarce water resources.
Solutions?
Researchers have explored AI’s potential to address water challenges.
Water Efficiency
AI can optimise water usage in agriculture by automating irrigation systems. Smart machines, robots, and sensors analyse data to enhance efficiency and detect leaks, as demonstrated in smart irrigation systems for crops.
Water quality monitoring
AI-powered biosensors can accurately detect toxic chemicals in drinking water, surpassing current quality monitoring practices.
Sustainable management – a double-edged sword
AI can aid in managing water security and wastewater treatment, contributing to sustainable water use. However, on the practical side, it is the willingness to implement these grand ideas and systems that is quite often the problem.
Uncharted territory
While there is peer-reviewed analysis on the role of AI in managing water and achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the direct and indirect effects of AI on water usage are largely uncharted.
Recent reports indicate that AI systems, such as ChatGPT, may use approximately 500 millilitres of water for every 5 to 50 prompts or questions posed by a user. Given the rapid increase in chatbot usage globally, this could lead to a considerable water footprint, raising concerns among experts and environmentalists.
Conclusion
As technological advancement continues, it is imperative to move forward with caution. Achieving a balance between innovation and the responsible use of resources is essential for a sustainable future where AI contributes positively without jeopardizing our essential water resources.
Google Unveils AI Chatbot Gemini 1.5 Flash as competition from OpenAI heats up
Google is advancing the frontiers of artificial intelligence (AI) with its new release, Gemini 1.5 Flash, which is set to transform our online information interactions.
Unveiled at Google I/O 2024, this latest model enhances sophisticated features with rapid performance and efficiency. The new AI Chatbot was unveiled on 15th May 2024.
The unveiling comes a day after OpenAI announced its newest artificial intelligence (AI) model, GPT-4o.
Google Gemini 1.5 Flash
The Gemini 1.5 Flash is engineered for exceptional speed, processing queries with reduced latency, which makes it perfectly suited for real-time applications.
Context Understanding
Similar to its forerunner, Gemini 1.5 Pro, Flash is adept at contextual understanding. It is capable of interpreting user prompts through multiple modalities such as text, images, video, and speech.
Smaller Scaled Version
Google also introduced a scaled-down version called Gemini 1.5 Nano, which runs locally on devices.
AI quick answers
A prominent feature of Gemini 1.5 Flash is the AI Overviews integration. These ‘precis’ summaries deliver rapid responses to intricate inquiries. Users are presented with a topical overview and pertinent links for additional research. The AI Overviews feature is currently being introduced to U.S. users, with worldwide availability anticipated by the end of the year.
Future of Google search
Gemini 1.5 Flash is Google’s latest endeavour to improve search experiences. Whether it’s for research, planning, or brainstorming, this AI model simplifies the process. With the advent of generative AI, Google Search is becoming increasingly potent, enabling users to effortlessly access reliable information.