There are very few objects of fascination that prevail continuously throughout time, speculation over the new age is constantly evolving and ideas are left behind. However, in rare cases, these fantasies materialize into advents of technological revolution and forward new progress.
Artificial intelligence has cemented itself in futurist discussions for decades, though now the topic of science fiction writing is being used to market real estate. Like the inventions of the past, the craze around AI is not simply about its current ability, but what it can perform in the future. This has led to entrepreneurs, corporations and individuals alike speculating about what the next breakthrough will be. Also like the inventions of the past, AI carries with it heavy ecological burdens which need to be avoided if this new technology will live up to its revolutionary discussion.
The expansion of artificial intelligence into corporate interests has been a relatively sudden occurrence. AI has only recently proved to be a relatively secure investment for major corporations who, in return, have bought in to the hype in mass. More funding and interest have culminated in this burgeoning technology solidifying itself into various aspects of modern existence, a shift which has fostered even more expectations and excitement concerning the future of AI.
Trends in Roswell High School highlight the increased presence of AI in both a personal and scholastic setting. A survey of eighty students shows that more than 50% of students report that a teacher has suggested the use of artificial intelligence, as well as a large portion reporting that the role of AI is increasing in various aspects of both their academic and personal life
Corporations have now standardized the implementation of various forms of AI assistance, with it quickly establishing itself as the latest trend in bureaucratic specialization. The leading producers of AI frameworks and products have responded to the desires by furthering the development of the facilities that provide these programs to the world.
Parallel with AI’s growth is fear surrounding its security conjoined with a broader desire for privacy. This can be attributed to the mass data collection that fuels AI software, a concept which is one of the leading concerns surrounding the new technology. As well as privacy, its potential role in cyberattacks and misinformation has been drawn to mass scrutiny.
Despite the concerns, users still feel the potential risk does little to compare to the benefits the machine learning software provides. One risk that has remained understated, lacking recognition in mainstream outlets especially, is the excessive environmental risk AI data centers bring to local ecosystems.
As the demand for AI frameworks grows, the necessity for more data centers to house the active programs expands parallel. These centers are a large undertaking for the companies, figure heads of industry such as Open AI and Meta, who aim to seize the open market. This is where the damage of AI expansion becomes most prevalent.
These facilities consume exceptional amounts of water to cool the components, quantities that rival some national water consumption. This is exceptionally concerning as large-scale water consumption has already threatened the global water supply and scarcity of the valuable resource has become a pressing issue for global regions.
While the level of water consumption does little to rival the agricultural industry, data centers are operating in areas not suitable for mass water consumption. Consumption is also predicted to increase greatly as investment and construction is projected to exponentially increase in accordance with increased demand.
The expansion of these data centers threatens further crisis causing publications to vocalize their worry, however this has done seemingly little to stiffen both the usage and expansion of AI. If the demand for revolutionary tech will cause these issues to be forgotten, the damage to both the local populations and environments will be lasting.
As AI makes its presence felt in Roswell High School and nationwide at large, the need for action grows dire and the question must be raised whether its role is necessary enough for the numerous issues it brings to be withstood. Until then it continues to spell destruction for environments across the globe.
