Climate reporter Casey Crownhart joins Host Ira Flatow to discuss MIT Technology Review’s latest analysis of just how much energy AI uses, the current carbon footprint of the AI industry, and where it might be headed with increasing artificial intelligence adoption. They also tackle other stories from the week in science, including proposed new rules for COVID vaccines, unusual bacteria on China’s space station, hummingbird evolution, cuts to federal bee research, and the surprising finding that flowers may listen to pollinators.
Further Reading
- Read the MIT Technology Review analysis: “We did the math on AI’s energy footprint. Here’s the story you haven’t heard.”
Segment Guests
Casey Crownhart
Casey Crownhart is a senior climate reporter for MIT Technology Review in New York, New York.
Segment Transcript
The transcript is being processed. It will be available 2-3 days after this story’s publication date.
Meet the Producers and Host
About Charles Bergquist
As Science Friday’s director and senior producer, Charles Bergquist channels the chaos of a live production studio into something sounding like a radio program. Favorite topics include planetary sciences, chemistry, materials, and shiny things with blinking lights.
About Annette Heist
Annette Heist is a former senior producer for Science Friday.
About Flora Lichtman
Flora Lichtman is a host of Science Friday. In a previous life, she lived on a research ship where apertivi were served on the top deck, hoisted there via pulley by the ship’s chef.
About Ira Flatow
Ira Flatow is the founder and host of Science Friday. His green thumb has revived many an office plant at death’s door.