Environmental Cost of Artificial Intelligence

By: Rohit Yadav

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Updated on: 10-Mar-2023

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Major companies like Microsoft Corp., Alphabet Inc's Google, and the creators of ChatGPT, OpenAI, use cloud computing that relies on thousands of chips in servers within massive data centers across the world to train AI algorithms. These algorithms, called models, analyze data to assist them in learning to perform tasks. The success of ChatGPT has led other companies to compete in releasing their own rival AI systems and chatbots, or develop products that utilize large AI models to provide features to various users, such as Instacart shoppers, Snap users, and CFOs.

Compared to other types of computing, Al consumes more energy, and creating one model can consume more electricity than the total consumption of 100 US homes in a year. Despite this, due to the rapid growth of the industry and a lack of transparency, the total amount of electricity consumption and carbon emissions resulting from Al remains unknown. Additionally, the emissions can vary greatly depending on the type of power plants providing the electricity. For example, data centers that use electricity from coal or natural gas-fired plants will have significantly higher emissions than those that use power from solar or wind farms.

Although the energy usage and carbon emissions from creating a single model have been calculated by researchers, and some companies have disclosed their energy consumption, there is no comprehensive estimation for the overall amount of power that AI technology uses. Sasha Luccioni, a researcher at Hugging Face Inc. - an AI company, has published a paper measuring the carbon footprint of their product BLOOM, which competes with OpenAI's GPT-3. Additionally, she has attempted to estimate the same for OpenAI's popular ChatGPT using a restricted set of publicly accessible data.

More Transparency

Transparency regarding the power consumption and emissions of Al models is crucial, according to researchers such as Luccioni. With this information, governments and companies can weigh the benefits of using large models such as GPT-3 for medical research or language preservation against the environmental cost. Conversely, using Al for frivolous tasks like writing rejected Seinfeld scripts or finding Waldo may not be justifiable. Nonetheless, increased transparency could also lead to greater scrutiny, as seen in the crypto industry, where Bitcoin's significant energy consumption has attracted criticism, and some nations have banned or restricted fossil-fuel-powered crypto-mining.

Pledges for Net-Zero Emissions

Although Al models are growing in size, Al companies such as Microsoft, Google and Amazon are continually working on enhancements to make them operate more efficiently. The three largest US cloud companies have all pledged to be carbon negative or carbon neutral. Google plans to achieve net-zero emissions across its operations by 2030, and its aim is to run its data centers and offices entirely on carbon-free energy. The company also uses Al to enhance energy efficiency in its data centers, where Al technology directly controls cooling.

OpenAl has made its application programming interface for ChatGPT more efficient, thus reducing electricity usage and costs for its customers. The company runs on Azure and works in collaboration with Microsoft to enhance efficiency and reduce its footprint when running large language models. Similarly, Microsoft is investing in renewable energy and taking other measures to reach its goal of being carbon negative by 2030. It is also conducting research to measure the energy usage and carbon impact of Al and devising ways to make large systems more efficient, both during training and application.

However, companies are generally reluctant to disclose the models they use and the amount of carbon they emit. To make Al run more efficiently, developers or data centre could schedule training at times when power is cheaper or at a surplus. Al firm that train their models when power is in surplus could also advertise their green credentials as a selling point. "It can be a carrot for them to show that they're acting responsibly and acting green," said Ben Hertz-Shargel, an energy consultant at Wood Mackenzie.

Redmi Note 14 Series to Launch in India on December 9

By: Bhumika

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Updated on: 21-Nov-2024

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Key Highlights:

• The Redmi Note 14 series will launch in India on December 9.
• It will include three models: a base, Pro, and Pro+ variant.
• Expect AI-enhanced features and advanced camera upgrades.
• The phones are expected to be similar to the China versions but with local tweaks.

Xiaomi has officially confirmed that the much-awaited Redmi Note 14 5G series will launch in India on December 9. This series will replace the previous Note 13 lineup and is expected to bring significant improvements in both performance and camera technology. The launch event has been teased through Xiaomi’s social media, promising users a glimpse of cutting-edge AI features and innovative camera functions.

The Redmi Note 14 series will likely consist of three models: the base version, the Note 14 Pro, and the Note 14 Pro+. These smartphones have already been released in China, and now, the Indian market is next in line to experience them. While Xiaomi hasn't confirmed all the details yet, hints suggest these phones will carry powerful AI features, which could boost performance, photography, and overall user experience.

Expected Specifications:

Design & Display:

All models are expected to feature a 6.67-inch OLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, offering vibrant visuals and smooth scrolling.

Performance:

The Note 14 5G will be powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 7025 Ultra chipset. The Pro and Pro+ models will have more powerful Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 and Dimensity 7300 Ultra processors, making them ideal for gaming and multitasking.

Camera Setup:

The Pro and Pro+ models are expected to have a 50 MP primary camera, an 8 MP ultra-wide camera, and additional sensors. The Pro+ model may feature a 50 MP portrait telephoto camera for enhanced zoom capabilities.

Battery & Charging:

The Pro+ variant will come with a large 6,200mAh battery supporting 90W fast charging, while the Pro and base models will feature a 5,500mAh battery with 44W fast charging.

In conclusion, the Redmi Note 14 5G series is shaping up to be a powerful update to Xiaomi’s popular budget-friendly lineup. Stay tuned for the launch event on December 9 to see how these smartphones live up to the hype.

Oppo Find X8 Series Launches Today at 10:30 AM – Here’s What to Expect

By: Bhumika

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Updated on: 21-Nov-2024

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Key Highlights:

• The Oppo Find X8 series, including the Find X8 and Find X8 Pro, is launching today at 10:30 AM IST.
• Both models will run on Android 15 and feature MediaTek Dimensity 9400 chipsets.
• The Pro model will have a bigger screen and better cameras than the standard X8.
• Pre-booking is already open in India for a deposit of Rs 1,000.

Oppo is set to officially launch its latest Find X8 series today, marking a big return of the Find X series to India after several years. The series includes the Oppo Find X8 and Oppo Find X8 Pro. The launch event will be streamed live at 10:30 AM IST today, and you can watch it on Oppo India’s official YouTube channel.

The Oppo Find X8 series brings a lot of new features and improvements. Both models will run on Android 15 and will be powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 9400 chipset, offering great performance for gaming and multitasking. The Find X8 will have a 6.59-inch display, while the Pro model will have a larger 6.78-inch screen, offering users a more immersive viewing experience.

Expected Specifications:

Display & Battery:

The Find X8 will have a 6.59-inch display, while the Find X8 Pro offers a larger 6.78-inch screen, providing better visuals for gaming and streaming. The Find X8 has a 5,630mAh battery, while the Pro model will be slightly more powerful with a 5,910mAh battery.

Cameras:

For photography, both phones come with 50 MP sensors for their main, ultrawide, and telephoto lenses. The Find X8 Pro will have a more advanced camera setup, with a 3x telephoto lens for better zoom quality.

Pricing & Pre-booking:

The Oppo Find X8 and Find X8 Pro are already available for pre-booking in India with a deposit of Rs 1,000. Although European prices suggest the Find X8 Pro could be priced around Rs 1,07,150, the Indian prices are expected to be more affordable. The Find X8 might be priced under Rs 60,000, while the X8 Pro could be priced under Rs 70,000.

With the launch today, Oppo aims to compete with other premium brands like Realme GT 7 Pro and iQOO 13 5G, boosting its presence in the Indian smartphone market.

Moto G05 and Moto G15 Leaked with Similar Design and Features Ahead of Launch

By: Bhumika

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Updated on: 20-Nov-2024

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Key Highlights:

• Moto G05 and Moto G15 are expected to feature 50MP dual rear cameras.
• The phones may come with Android 15 and have plastic back panels.
• Moto G05 to launch with 4GB RAM and 128GB/256GB storage; Moto G15 with 4GB/8GB RAM and 256GB storage.
• Expected to launch by late November or early December 2024.

Motorola is gearing up to release two new budget-friendly smartphones: Moto G05 and Moto G15. These devices are expected to succeed the Moto G04 and Moto G14, respectively, and will likely hit the market by late November or early December 2024. While Motorola hasn't officially confirmed these models, several leaked renders and details have surfaced online, offering a glimpse of what to expect.

Design and Colour Options

According to leaked renders from YTechB, both the Moto G05 and Moto G15 will share a similar design. The phones are likely to have a vegan leather finish with a textured, lychee-like pattern. However, the report suggests that this finish might actually be made from plastic, despite its leather-like appearance. The camera module on the back of both models is raised slightly and positioned in the top-left corner.

Both phones are shown to have centre-aligned hole-punch displays for the front cameras. The power and volume buttons will be located on the right edge, with the power button doubling as a side-mounted fingerprint sensor. The left side will feature SIM tray slots.

In terms of colour options, the Moto G15 will likely be available in Green and Grey, while the Moto G05 will offer an additional Orange colour.

Expected Specifications

The Moto G15 is expected to come in two RAM variants: 4GB and 8GB, with 256GB of internal storage. On the other hand, the Moto G05 will likely offer 4GB of RAM and two storage options: 128GB and 256GB, with a possible 8GB RAM variant for the higher-end model. Both phones will likely feature 50MP dual rear cameras, with the primary camera being a 50MP sensor. These models will also have rear LED flash panels for enhanced photography.

Both the Moto G05 and Moto G15 are expected to run on Android 15 with Hello UI on top, making them some of the first Motorola phones to ship with this software version.

Launch Timeline and Pricing

According to the leak, the Moto G05 and Moto G15 will be officially unveiled in late November or early December 2024. The phones are expected to launch in Europe first, with the Moto G05 priced at EUR 140 (around Rs. 12,400) for the 4GB + 128GB variant and EUR 170 (roughly Rs. 15,500) for the 4GB + 256GB variant. The Moto G15, on the other hand, will likely be priced at EUR 200 (around Rs. 18,200) for the 8GB + 256GB option.

Oppo Find X8 Pro European Price Leaked Ahead of Global Launch on November 21, 2024

By: Bhumika

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Updated on: 20-Nov-2024

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Key Highlights:

• Oppo Find X8 Pro will launch globally on November 21, including in India and Europe.
• It features the MediaTek Dimensity 9400 chipset, 16GB RAM, and up to 1TB storage.
• The phone comes with quad rear cameras, a 5,910mAh battery, and 80W fast charging.
• In Europe, the price is expected to be EUR 1,199.

The Oppo Find X8 Pro is all set for its global debut on November 21, with the launch event scheduled in Bali, Indonesia. Along with the regular Oppo Find X8, the Pro model will be available for purchase in global markets, including India. Ahead of the launch, the European price of the Oppo Find X8 Pro has been leaked by tipster Sudhanshu Ambhore, who revealed the phone will cost EUR 1,199 (approximately Rs. 1,06,900) for the version with 16GB of RAM and 512GB of storage.

This price is significantly higher than its price in China, where the phone is priced at CNY 5,999 (roughly Rs. 70,800) for the same model.

The Oppo Find X8 Pro series was initially unveiled in China last month, and it is now ready to make its mark in global markets. The series features the latest MediaTek Dimensity 9400 chipset, making it a powerful option for users who demand high performance. It also boasts up to 16GB of RAM and 1TB of internal storage.

Oppo Find X8 Pro Features

The Oppo Find X8 Pro is equipped with a 6.78-inch LTPO AMOLED display, which supports a smooth 120Hz refresh rate. The phone runs on Android 15 with ColorOS 15 and is powered by the Dimensity 9400 SoC, offering top-tier performance.

In terms of camera capabilities, the Oppo Find X8 Pro features a quad rear camera setup with four 50-megapixel sensors, ensuring great picture quality in various conditions. The front camera has a 32-megapixel sensor, perfect for clear selfies and video calls.

For battery and charging, the Oppo Find X8 Pro comes with a 5,910mAh battery, offering **80W fast wired charging **and 50W wireless charging for quick power-ups.

India Launch and Availability

The India launch of the Oppo Find X8 Pro is also set for November 21, and the phone is already available for pre-booking in the country. It will be available for purchase through Flipkart after its official release.

U.S. Government Proposes "Manhattan Project" for AI Development to Compete with China

By: Bhumika

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Updated on: 20-Nov-2024

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Key Highlights:

• A U.S. government commission has proposed a Manhattan Project-style initiative to develop advanced AI.
• The goal is to create AI that is as smart, or smarter, than humans.
• The proposal comes as the U.S. competes with China over AI technology advancements.
• The commission calls for public-private partnerships to boost AI development.

A U.S. congressional commission has suggested creating a Manhattan Project-style initiative to fast-track the development of artificial intelligence (AI) systems that could be as smart or smarter than humans. This comes as the U.S. faces growing competition from China, which is making significant progress in the development of advanced AI technologies.

The proposal was released in the commission's annual report, which emphasized the need for public-private partnerships to push the development of artificial general intelligence (AGI)—an advanced form of AI. The Manhattan Project, which took place during World War II, was a collaboration between the U.S. government and private companies that led to the creation of the first atomic bombs. The commission believes a similar large-scale effort could be crucial for the future of AI.

Jacob Helberg, a commissioner of the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission, stated that countries leading in rapid technological advancements often reshape the global balance of power. He stressed that the U.S. must act swiftly, as China is advancing quickly in the field of artificial general intelligence (AGI).

Challenges for AI Development

While the vision for a Manhattan Project-style AI initiative is bold, there are several challenges. One significant hurdle is the energy requirements for training large AI models. The commission suggests that improving the permitting process for data centers could be an example of how the government and private sector can work together to overcome these challenges and accelerate the development of AI.

The U.S. Commission's Report also raised other key concerns regarding China's economic influence, including recommendations to eliminate certain trade exemptions that allow Chinese goods to bypass U.S. tariffs and less stringent checks.

AI as a National Priority

OpenAI, the creator of ChatGPT, has also called for increased government funding to support the growth of AI in the U.S. The commission's proposals reflect a growing recognition of AI's strategic importance in global competition. As the world’s largest economies race to develop and control AI technologies, the U.S. is aiming to ensure it remains at the forefront of this technological revolution.