An AI expert from Southampton has joined calls for the UK government to make sure tech companies accurately report how much energy and water their data centres use.
Professor of Artificial Intelligence Gopal Ramchurn is part of a National Engineering Policy Centre working group which published a new report.
Data centres can and should be designed to use less water and critical raw materials, but the UK government must set the conditions, according to the summary.
Prof Ramchurn, from the University of Southampton, sat on the NEPC working group which developed the report, titled Engineering Responsible AI: foundations for environmentally sustainable AI.
He said: “AI’s use has surged in the past two years, aiding daily tasks and boosting productivity and innovation.
“However, many are unaware of the significant costs and environmental impacts – recent Institution of Engineering and Technology research shows less than one in six in the UK are aware of this. AI providers must be transparent about these effects.
“If we cannot measure it, we cannot manage it, nor ensure benefits for all. This report’s recommendations will aid national discussions on the sustainability of AI systems and the trade-offs involved.”
The report was developed by the Royal Academy of Engineering in partnership with the Institution of Engineering and Technology, of which Prof Ramchurn is a Fellow, and BCS, the Chartered Institute of IT, under the National Engineering Policy Centre.
It follows the recent AI Opportunities Action Plan, endorsed by the UK government, which aims to support the growth and responsible adoption of artificial intelligence.
However, the proliferation of AI comes with heightened environmental risk, says the report, adding that data centres and the artificial intelligence systems they host consume significant amounts of energy and water.
Rapidly growing demand could have far-reaching effects, such as competition for renewable energy or drinking water sources, according to the experts.
The Engineering Responsible AI report proposes five foundational steps to be taken now to help establish the UK as a global leader in efficiency and frugality – including:
1) Mandatory reporting on environmental impact of data centres
2) Provide information on the environmental impact of AI systems
3) Set environmental requirements for data centres
4) Re-think how data is collected and stored
5) Leading the way with government investment
Professor Ramchurn is a Fellow of the IET and CEO of Responsible AI UK, a consortium of experts from UK universities working to develop trustworthy artificial intelligence.
He added: “With the government intending to reform planning systems to build new infrastructure like data centres, policies to manage the environmental risks are urgently needed.
“Reliable data is not currently available on how much resources these infrastructures consume. While data centres can be designed to use less energy, drinking water and materials, doing so effectively and at scale requires access to resource data.”
Read more at nepc.raeng.org.uk .
