Don’t Just Think sustainable, Be sustainable ! | Dr. Nilima Roy Chowdhury

Environmental Impact of AI - The development of a powerful AI model led to a 34% increase in water usage by the organization behind it [1] - Data centers consume approximately 300,000 gallons (1135623 liters) of water daily for cooling, equivalent to the daily water usage of 100,000 households [1] - A simple AI-generated response can consume 10 times more energy than a standard web search [1] - A 100-word email can consume the equivalent of a bottle of water and enough electricity to power 14 LED bulbs for an hour [1] - Data centers are responsible for nearly 1% of the world's total electricity consumption, which is expected to rise as AI adoption increases [1] Sustainable Mindset & Solutions - The industry needs to build from a sustainable mind to future-proof the planet, focusing on inner ecology before AI [1] - The industry should adopt the three P's: Philosophy (sensitivity), Practice (self-control), and Process (selflessness) to cultivate a sustainable mindset [1] - The industry can explore innovative projects like underwater data centers powered by renewable energy, utilizing seawater for natural cooling systems [1] - The industry should build AI like planting a tree, rooted in values, nourished by energy, and offering shade to future generations [2] AI Applications & Ethical Considerations - AI can be used to help farmers save water and grow better crops, or to track consumer preferences for targeted advertising [1] - AI can be used to manage waste and recycle better, or to flood the internet with low-quality and fake data [1] - The difference between AI healing or harming the earth lies not in the algorithm, but in the intention behind its use [1]