this post was submitted on 15 Jul 2024
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Fuck AI
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I feel like #3 shows up for every tech innovation. I remember people bitching about the Internet not being viable because phone lines were too slow. The demand needs to be there before the infrastructure will get built.
Some difference in that fixing the power capacity problem will absolutely mean combusting more hydrocarbons in practical terms, something we can ill afford to do right now. Until we get our legs under us with non carbon based energy generation, we should at least not take on huge power burdens.
Now there was an alleged breakthrough that might make LLMs less energy hogs but I haven't seen it discussed much to know if it is promising or a bust. Either way power efficiency might come as a way to save #3.
You're absolutely right that AI is going to use electricity, and (for now) a majority of that electricity is generated through combustion.
I don't think that is the concern when it comes to the power grid. I think most people are worried about power delivery infrastructure, which is a lot harder to upgrade/add than power generation infrastructure. Sorry if my comment wasn't clear about this.