Why your cat memes are harming the planet
The AI boom and dark data significantly strain global energy resources. Data centers consume 460 terawatt hours annually, projected to double by 2026. Dark data, comprising 68% of stored data, includes unnecessary content like cat memes, exacerbating energy waste. AI models like OpenAI's ChatGPT3 and Google's Gemini contribute to rising carbon emissions, with Google's emissions increasing by 48% since 2019. The demand for infrastructure, such as Europe's largest data center in the UK, highlights the environmental impact, with concerns over whether AI's benefits justify its energy costs.
