量化企业AI碳足迹,揭示生成式模型能耗超传统模型4600倍
Exploring the sustainable scaling of AI dilemma: A projective study of corporations' AI environmental impacts
- 构建企业级AI环境影响评估方法,无需专业背景即可使用
- 预测到2030年生成式AI用电量将激增24.4倍,主要因模型复杂度上升
- 呼吁建立统一环保评估框架与'环境回报率'指标,推动全产业链协同减排
人工智能的快速发展,尤其是大语言模型(LLMs),引发了对其全球环境影响的担忧,不仅包括温室气体排放,还涉及硬件制造和报废处理。由于主要提供商信息不透明,企业难以评估其AI相关的环境影响并实现净零目标。本文提出一种方法,用于估算企业AI组合的环境影响,提供可操作的见解,无需深厚的AI或生命周期评估(LCA)知识。结果显示,大型生成式AI模型的能耗最高可达传统模型的4600倍。我们的建模方法考虑了AI使用增长、硬件计算效率提升及符合IPCC情景的电力结构变化,预测至2030年的人工智能用电量。在高采用情景下,由于生成式AI和智能体广泛使用,模型和框架日益复杂,人工智能用电量预计将增加24.4倍。若要在2030年前缓解生成式AI的环境影响,需在整个AI价值链上协同努力。仅靠提升硬件效率、模型效率或电网改善等单一措施不足为虑。我们主张建立标准化的环境评估框架,增强价值链各环节的透明度,并引入‘环境回报率’指标,以使人工智能发展与净零目标保持一致。
原文摘要 · Abstract (English)
The rapid growth of artificial intelligence (AI), particularly Large Language Models (LLMs), has raised concerns regarding its global environmental impact that extends beyond greenhouse gas emissions to include consideration of hardware fabrication and end-of-life processes. The opacity from major providers hinders companies' abilities to evaluate their AI-related environmental impacts and achieve net-zero targets. In this paper, we propose a methodology to estimate the environmental impact of a company's AI portfolio, providing actionable insights without necessitating extensive AI and Life-Cycle Assessment (LCA) expertise. Results confirm that large generative AI models consume up to 4600x more energy than traditional models. Our modelling approach, which accounts for increased AI usage, hardware computing efficiency, and changes in electricity mix in line with IPCC scenarios, forecasts AI electricity use up to 2030. Under a high adoption scenario, driven by widespread Generative AI and agents adoption associated to increasingly complex models and frameworks, AI electricity use is projected to rise by a factor of 24.4. Mitigating the environmental impact of Generative AI by 2030 requires coordinated efforts across the AI value chain. Isolated measures in hardware efficiency, model efficiency, or grid improvements alone are insufficient. We advocate for standardized environmental assessment frameworks, greater transparency from the all actors of the value chain and the introduction of a "Return on Environment" metric to align AI development with net-zero goals.
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