Op-ed: Cutting the environmental cost of cutting-edge technologies like AI and Bitcoin

• The energy consumption of artificial intelligence (AI) and cryptocurrencies, particularly Bitcoin, has become a critical issue.
• AI, especially models like OpenAI's ChatGPT, consumes significant amounts of energy during both the training and operational phases.
• The energy demands of AI technologies rival those of small countries, raising concerns about sustainability.
• Bitcoin's energy consumption is also a concern, with a carbon footprint comparable to countries like Oman and a power consumption similar to New Zealand.
• However, there are trends towards more sustainable energy sources in Bitcoin mining, driven by technological advancements.
• Solutions include optimizing AI algorithms for efficiency and using energy-efficient hardware, as well as finding greener energy solutions to power these technologies.

The article highlights the escalating energy demands of AI and cryptocurrencies, emphasizing the need for sustainable practices. It acknowledges the challenges posed by their energy consumption but also mentions positive trends towards more environmentally conscious approaches.