Camelot Newsletter

Hydro In-Fusion

April 05, 2024

Hydro In-Fusion

AI systems are ravenous consumers of energy and consequently, water. In particular, large language models like GPT-4, are consuming vast amounts of energy and water to power their operations. It's estimated that a single AI-powered search can use 4-5 times more energy than a conventional web search. As AI systems continue to expand, their energy demands are projected to double by 2026.

Training and running AI models requires a lot of computing power, which generates a lot of heat in data centers. Data centers need to use water-based cooling systems, like cooling towers, to dissipate this heat and keep the servers from overheating.

Researchers estimate that ChatGPT can use up to 500 milliliters of water for every 5-50 prompts, depending on the location. The water consumption of major tech companies like Microsoft and Google has spiked in recent years as they expand their AI development projects. Microsoft's global water use rose by 34% from 2021 to 2022, enough to fill over 2,500 Olympic-sized swimming pools. 💦

So how do we solve this impending crisis? The models will continue to need energy to run. “There’s no way to get there without a breakthrough, we need fusion, alongside scaling up other renewable energy sources,” Open Ai’s Sam Altman said in a January interview. Altman recently invested in nuclear fusion development company Helion, based in Everett, WA. Helion is building the world’s first fusion power plant in hopes of enabling a future with unlimited clean energy.

Nuclear fusion is the process by which two light atomic nuclei combine to form a single heavier nucleus, releasing massive amounts of energy in the process. The same process that powers the sun and other stars. It is likely still decades away from being mastered and commercialized on Earth but there is hope. For some experts, Altman’s emphasis on a future energy breakthrough is illustrative of a larger question the AI industry has yet to come forth with a solution to; how they are going to satiate AI’s soaring energy needs not just now but in the long term as these models continue to grow.

We may not have the answers at this moment in time but we do know that these thirsty ai models will continue to chug water like it’s the morning after their bachelor party in Vegas until we come up with something.

Pods & Blogs

Pod: There are no girls on the Internet with Bridget Todd  Episode: Andrew Huberman, the internet’s favorite guru. Should we trust him?

💡 Andrew Huberman; the trope is real. Misogynistic male sells himself as lifestyle and wellness “hack” guru, but is in fact a dis-regulated ego out to make a buck with sketchy health supplements and assert his “control” over women by deceiving and misleading romantic partners. Weak. Get a new game bro, this one is played out.

Blog: Roe - No Mercy No Malice by Professor Scott Galloway

💡 Deeply thought provoking. So many YES moments in here! “The parabolic progress of women over the past several decades has inspired a gag reflex among the most conservative wings of many religions.” “...this has stirred the ghoul that haunts the world … posing a greater threat to society than any autocrat or virus: extremism.” This article speaks pointedly to the weaponization of politics and the rollback of citizen’s rights. Take some quiet moments with this one. Think about what it made you feel and why.

In other news…

  • Elon’s (well one of many) lawsuit was dissed and dismissed by a federal judge stating that the case is clearly “about punishing the defendants [CCDH - Center for Countering Digital Hate ] for their speech.”

  • Emad Mostaque is stepping down from his role as CEO of Stability AI, to pursue decentralized AI. 

  • Sam Bankman Fried was sentenced to 25 years in federal prison. Before announcing the sentence, Judge Lewis Kaplan said there was a risk “that this man will be in a position to do something very bad in the future, and it’s not a trivial risk.”

Turkeys and Angels

Every week brings new and exciting antics! Here I nominate one Turkey; a squawky or nefarious critter deserving of the “You are a Turkey” moniker. Because we must always bring balance to the force, an Angel will additionally be recognized for bringing laughter, love or all around goodness to the world.

This week’s Turkey:

Fox News’ bizarre meltdown over Trans Visibility Day falling on Easter this year. To be clear this beautiful protected holiday falls on March 31st, every year, whereas the date for Easter changes yearly. It was not declared on Easter as Fox News witlessly reported it to be, it just happened to fall that way. And for reasons I can’t understand or explain, great offense was taken. But wait it gets weirder; Trump went on to declare that in opposition to this great offense, that Nov. 5 Election Day would be Christian Visibility Day. 🤔 Hm. So if you’re not Christian, you’re not afforded a vote? Who will choose whether we get a seat on the Titanic or the Hindenburg then? Guess it will just be a surprise!

This week’s Angel: 

Caitlyn Clark! For so many reasons this woman is an absolute icon. Sports star, for sure! Role model, check. Emotional intelligence, five stars ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ 

When asked “was revenge on your mind” after winning a clutch game moving her team through the Elite 8 championship round she cooly replied "To be honest, no. We prepared for this game. We focused on Iowa (her team). We do what Iowa does, and we'll come out on top. It's not about last year. You worry too much about the past, you'll get caught up in that. It's about being present where your feet are." Yes queen 👑 

Let’s all move forward today with these words in mind.

Be present. Where your feet are.