1 00:00:00,050 --> 00:00:00,770 Case study. 2 00:00:00,770 --> 00:00:06,200 Balancing AI progress with sustainability tech Nova's journey to eco friendly innovation. 3 00:00:06,200 --> 00:00:11,630 Artificial intelligence demands significant energy, pushing data centers to consume vast electricity 4 00:00:11,630 --> 00:00:15,110 quantities, often sourced from non-renewable resources. 5 00:00:15,500 --> 00:00:20,840 In an effort to explore the environmental ramifications of AI, let's examine the operations at Tech 6 00:00:20,840 --> 00:00:23,330 Nova, a leading AI driven company. 7 00:00:24,020 --> 00:00:29,180 Tech Nova's headquarters in San Francisco housed teams working on advanced AI models for healthcare 8 00:00:29,180 --> 00:00:33,260 diagnosis, smart city management and autonomous vehicles. 9 00:00:35,210 --> 00:00:41,390 One Monday morning, Sara, the chief sustainability officer at Tech Nova, gathered her team to discuss 10 00:00:41,390 --> 00:00:44,900 a troubling report on their data centers energy consumption. 11 00:00:45,290 --> 00:00:50,300 We've received complaints from local communities about increased energy usage and its environmental 12 00:00:50,300 --> 00:00:51,980 impacts, she began. 13 00:00:52,640 --> 00:00:59,090 Our data center consumed 15 terawatt hours last year, and most of it came from non-renewable sources. 14 00:01:00,390 --> 00:01:02,310 the team knew they were under scrutiny. 15 00:01:02,430 --> 00:01:05,610 Sara turned to Elena, the head of AI research. 16 00:01:06,120 --> 00:01:08,700 How essential is it to run these models continuously? 17 00:01:08,730 --> 00:01:12,030 Can we optimize the algorithms to reduce energy usage? 18 00:01:12,270 --> 00:01:18,210 Elena explained the dilemma powerful AI models require intense computational power and long training 19 00:01:18,210 --> 00:01:21,450 periods, contributing to substantial carbon emissions. 20 00:01:23,340 --> 00:01:28,980 Tennovas servers located in multiple data centers were vital for training deep learning models, yet 21 00:01:28,980 --> 00:01:32,070 these data centers were also major energy consumers. 22 00:01:32,460 --> 00:01:37,440 What alternative strategies can we consider to minimize our reliance on non-renewable energy? 23 00:01:37,470 --> 00:01:38,520 Sara asked. 24 00:01:38,820 --> 00:01:42,060 The team discussed transitioning to renewable energy sources. 25 00:01:42,090 --> 00:01:47,280 Google had set a precedent by adopting renewable energy, but Technova needed to catch up. 26 00:01:50,220 --> 00:01:55,770 Besides energy consumption, Sara was concerned about the environmental toll of hardware production. 27 00:01:56,250 --> 00:01:59,420 The resources for making AI hardware are finite. 28 00:01:59,450 --> 00:02:05,960 Mining elements like lithium for batteries is harmful to ecosystems, she said, referencing the environmental 29 00:02:05,960 --> 00:02:08,510 degradation caused by lithium extraction. 30 00:02:08,660 --> 00:02:11,450 How can we address these life cycle impacts? 31 00:02:13,040 --> 00:02:18,680 Nova's engineering team proposed extending hardware lifespan and adopting sustainable materials. 32 00:02:18,830 --> 00:02:22,940 However, Sara emphasized that disposal posed another challenge. 33 00:02:22,970 --> 00:02:25,910 Elena shared alarming stats from the United Nations. 34 00:02:25,940 --> 00:02:33,080 Global e-waste generation hit 53.6 million metric tons in 2019 with minimal recycling rates. 35 00:02:33,860 --> 00:02:37,130 How can we improve our e-waste management and recycling practices? 36 00:02:37,160 --> 00:02:38,300 Sara questioned. 37 00:02:39,800 --> 00:02:43,580 The meeting paused as the team contemplated their water usage. 38 00:02:44,150 --> 00:02:47,330 The data centers required significant water for cooling. 39 00:02:48,080 --> 00:02:52,460 We're in California, a state that's frequently drought stricken, reminded Sara. 40 00:02:52,490 --> 00:02:55,250 Can we innovate to reduce our water footprint? 41 00:02:56,260 --> 00:03:00,970 Elena had been researching AI's potential to enhance environmental sustainability. 42 00:03:01,120 --> 00:03:06,430 While AI has a significant environmental footprint, it can also be part of the solution, she pointed 43 00:03:06,430 --> 00:03:06,970 out. 44 00:03:07,270 --> 00:03:13,420 For instance, AI driven smart grids can optimize energy distribution, reducing overall consumption. 45 00:03:13,810 --> 00:03:19,210 How can we leverage AI to foster energy efficiency within our operations and beyond? 46 00:03:20,590 --> 00:03:24,670 The discussion turned toward AI applications in ecosystem monitoring. 47 00:03:25,090 --> 00:03:31,030 We've developed algorithms that can analyze satellite imagery to track deforestation and habitat destruction. 48 00:03:31,060 --> 00:03:32,200 Elena noted. 49 00:03:32,200 --> 00:03:37,120 How can we further such initiatives to make a positive environmental impact? 50 00:03:38,530 --> 00:03:42,580 Sara concluded the meeting with a call for a multifaceted approach. 51 00:03:43,150 --> 00:03:49,300 We must collaborate with policymakers, tech leaders and environmental scientists to promote sustainable 52 00:03:49,300 --> 00:03:50,320 practices. 53 00:03:51,490 --> 00:03:56,290 Tech Nova's journey toward sustainability required transparency and accountability. 54 00:03:56,290 --> 00:04:01,270 They needed to disclose their environmental footprint, including carbon emissions and water usage, 55 00:04:01,270 --> 00:04:03,220 to gain trust from stakeholders. 56 00:04:04,540 --> 00:04:07,870 As the team dispersed, Sara's mind raced with thoughts. 57 00:04:08,290 --> 00:04:13,330 Could interdisciplinary collaborations lead to breakthroughs in AI sustainability? 58 00:04:13,900 --> 00:04:19,420 What role would educational initiatives play in fostering a new generation of environmentally conscious 59 00:04:19,420 --> 00:04:20,800 AI professionals? 60 00:04:21,190 --> 00:04:26,050 The AI Governance Professional certification could be instrumental in this regard. 61 00:04:26,950 --> 00:04:30,280 Reflecting on the meeting, Sara drafted an action plan. 62 00:04:30,640 --> 00:04:35,320 First, Technova would invest in renewable energy sources for their data centers. 63 00:04:35,350 --> 00:04:41,410 They would also implement energy efficient algorithms and extend the lifespan of their hardware to tackle 64 00:04:41,440 --> 00:04:42,010 e-waste. 65 00:04:42,040 --> 00:04:48,730 Technova would partner with recycling firms to ensure proper disposal and recovery of valuable materials. 66 00:04:49,990 --> 00:04:55,460 Moreover, Technova plan to develop water efficient cooling technologies for their data centers. 67 00:04:56,240 --> 00:05:01,820 Collaborating with water management experts, they aim to create solutions tailored to regions with 68 00:05:01,820 --> 00:05:02,990 water scarcity. 69 00:05:04,220 --> 00:05:08,900 Elena's suggestion to use AI for enhancing energy efficiency was intriguing. 70 00:05:09,290 --> 00:05:15,680 Technova would pilot AI driven smart grids within their facilities, optimizing energy use and integrating 71 00:05:15,680 --> 00:05:17,630 renewable sources more effectively. 72 00:05:18,290 --> 00:05:23,720 They would also expand their ecosystem monitoring projects, partnering with conservation organizations 73 00:05:23,720 --> 00:05:27,230 to leverage AI for real time environmental protection. 74 00:05:28,490 --> 00:05:30,920 Educational initiatives were equally crucial. 75 00:05:31,220 --> 00:05:37,040 Technova would sponsor employees to pursue the Aigp certification, ensuring their workforce was well 76 00:05:37,070 --> 00:05:39,530 versed in sustainable AI practices. 77 00:05:40,190 --> 00:05:45,530 They would also host workshops and seminars to raise awareness about AI's environmental impacts and 78 00:05:45,530 --> 00:05:47,840 foster a culture of responsibility. 79 00:05:49,300 --> 00:05:53,200 Over the next few months, Tech Nova's efforts began to bear fruit. 80 00:05:53,560 --> 00:05:58,300 Their transition to renewable energy sources reduced their carbon footprint significantly. 81 00:05:58,780 --> 00:06:03,820 The implementation of energy efficient algorithms and hardware lifecycle management decreased their 82 00:06:03,850 --> 00:06:06,550 operational costs and environmental impact. 83 00:06:07,120 --> 00:06:12,490 Their partnership with recycling firms improved their e-waste management, contributing to global efforts 84 00:06:12,490 --> 00:06:14,410 to reduce electronic waste. 85 00:06:17,230 --> 00:06:22,750 Water efficient cooling technologies were successfully piloted in their California data center, mitigating 86 00:06:22,750 --> 00:06:24,880 the strain on local water resources. 87 00:06:25,480 --> 00:06:31,330 The AI driven smart grids optimized energy distribution, reducing waste and enhancing the reliability 88 00:06:31,330 --> 00:06:33,100 of renewable energy sources. 89 00:06:35,410 --> 00:06:41,230 Their ecosystem monitoring projects yielded valuable data helping conservationists protect endangered 90 00:06:41,230 --> 00:06:43,840 species and preserve biodiversity. 91 00:06:44,500 --> 00:06:50,390 Tech Nova's employees, equipped with the IGP Aigp certification became advocates for sustainable AI 92 00:06:50,420 --> 00:06:55,070 practices, driving positive change within the organization and the industry. 93 00:06:55,700 --> 00:06:58,910 Sara was pleased but knew the journey was ongoing. 94 00:06:59,150 --> 00:07:04,850 She believed in continuous improvement and the importance of staying ahead of environmental challenges. 95 00:07:05,450 --> 00:07:11,540 The case of Technova highlighted the complexities and responsibilities associated with AI development 96 00:07:11,540 --> 00:07:12,500 and deployment. 97 00:07:12,980 --> 00:07:19,370 The environmental and ecosystem impacts of AI were undeniable, but with conscious efforts, the industry 98 00:07:19,370 --> 00:07:22,100 could balance progress with sustainability. 99 00:07:22,970 --> 00:07:29,120 Reflecting on the journey, Sara realized the importance of collaboration, innovation and education 100 00:07:29,120 --> 00:07:31,820 in achieving sustainable AI practices. 101 00:07:32,450 --> 00:07:38,060 Technova story was a testament to the power of collective effort and the potential of AI to contribute 102 00:07:38,060 --> 00:07:44,390 positively to environmental conservation, provided its development and deployment were guided by sustainability 103 00:07:44,390 --> 00:07:45,290 principles.