On February 7, 2025, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman discussed AI energy consumption during a panel at Technische Universität Berlin, emphasizing its potential to drive crucial scientific breakthroughs, particularly in fusion energy. He argued that investing energy in AI research is a strategic choice that could yield significant environmental benefits, outweighing immediate consumption concerns. Altman compared AI systems’ efficiency favorably against human cognitive energy use, asserting that modern models operate with “incredibly efficient” performance per query. He highlighted a new $50,000 research partnership with BIFOLD to explore applications of AI, including in pathology and quantum chemistry. Altman stated that current AI energy usage accounts for a small fraction of global energy consumption, and improvements in efficiency could lead to transformative advancements in climate solutions. This conversation underscores the importance of balancing AI development with sustainability as the industry approaches new frontiers in technology and energy efficiency.
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