Does anyone avoid using ChatGPT because of its water usage?

[u/Sad_Butterscotch7063]

Hey, I recently came across something about how using ChatGPT, Blackbox AI and similar AI tools actually consumes a surprising amount of water (cooling data centers, I guess). Made me wonder, have people here stopped or reduced using it because of that?

Curious how others are thinking about it in terms of sustainability and personal impact.

[u/Honest_Chef323]

I avoid using AI because of the ethical issues around them which are many to be sure

Everyone should watch/read how these companies train AI using what amounts to slave labor with no psychological support among other various issues

If it were less unethical and we also had guardrails to prevent what is most likely a destruction of general society then I would be more likely to use it, but I can’t consciously use it knowing what I know

[u/vstacey6 → u/Honest_Chef323]

Any articles or documentaries you recommend?

[u/mo_journeys → u/vstacey6]

Kenyan AI workers say their conditions amount to 'modern day slavery'

How AI companies exploit data workers in Kenya

Labelers training AI say they're overworked, underpaid and exploited by big American tech companies

OpenAI Used Kenyan Workers on Less Than $2 Per Hour to Make ChatGPT Less Toxic

[u/anthua_vida → u/Honest_Chef323]

You got articles about this?

[u/Honest_Chef323 → u/anthua_vida]

I saw a news segment on tv about how they use cheap labor (basically people in countries with very little recourse with massive unemployment and poverty) in other countries to train AI while not giving any counseling support on the horrors (gore/sexual abuse) they witness while training said AI

I didn’t write down the news channel and can’t remember right now which one it was (I don’t watch tv often just often what I can glance at what my spouse is currently watching which is a mix of news channel sources), but upon looking up a search I found this

https://time.com/6247678/openai-chatgpt-kenya-workers/

Anyways I am not going to denigrate anyone for using AI, but there are wide reaching ramifications in various areas on using this technology. Maybe I am hurting myself by not adopting this technology, but just like how I don’t abuse ethics to get higher in life I refuse to compromise my morals by using this technology

[u/anthua_vida → u/Honest_Chef323]

Jesus!

I'm a chemist. I create LLMs for work and use them regularly to do data analysis.

They're a tool but an effective one to guide me when I hit a mental block.

Damn! The water usage and this were never things I thought of. It makes sense though.

Sometimes ignorance is bliss. But once you are no longer ignorant it is hard to look away.

My wife and I have given up all large scale stores. Target, Amazon, streaming. I don't drive but use a bike and public transportation. And still it feels like there is more to release from this consumption vacuum I am.

Thanks for the knowledge. Got a other thing to think of.

[u/ChangesFaces → u/anthua_vida]

You should read the book "How to Be Perfect" by Michael Schur :) It's a fun way to learn about ethics and philosophy from the funny producer of The Good Place, Brooklyn 99, and The Office!

[u/Lee_Van_Kief → u/Honest_Chef323]

This was also found to be the case with a lot of behind the scenes and underpaid moderators for big social media platforms before the advent of AI.

[u/mo_journeys → u/anthua_vida]

Kenyan AI workers say their conditions amount to 'modern day slavery'

How AI companies exploit data workers in Kenya

Labelers training AI say they're overworked, underpaid and exploited by big American tech companies

OpenAI Used Kenyan Workers on Less Than $2 Per Hour to Make ChatGPT Less Toxic