Nishka Ma

I'm instinctively a Luddite with these kind of things, and I'm trying to push back against that and be open to this. However, there is this huge elephant in the room, which is the environmental impact of rolling out AI. There's the obvious energy cost in terms of running all of these data centers, but there's also hidden costs as well. Water is increasingly becoming a scarce resource in the world.

I'm instinctively a Luddite with these kind of things, and I'm trying to push back against that and be open to this. However, there is this huge elephant in the room, which is the environmental impact of rolling out AI. There's the obvious energy cost in terms of running all of these data centers, but there's also hidden costs as well. Water is increasingly becoming a scarce resource in the world.

Building the chips, it uses a huge amount of fresh water and also cooling the systems uses a huge amount of fresh water. One of the data sites that's being proposed is sort of seven miles from the Abingdon Reservoir in Oxfordshire, as you've already mentioned, which is an area that's already struggling with water shortages. How much of that has been factored in

Building the chips, it uses a huge amount of fresh water and also cooling the systems uses a huge amount of fresh water. One of the data sites that's being proposed is sort of seven miles from the Abingdon Reservoir in Oxfordshire, as you've already mentioned, which is an area that's already struggling with water shortages. How much of that has been factored in

to the government's thinking about this?

to the government's thinking about this?

A Cornell University study, I mean, this is one of the sort of best guess estimates that you're referring to. Cornell study estimates that global AI could account for 6.6 billion cubic meters of water use by 2027, which is the equivalent of nearly two thirds of England's annual consumption. So the best guess estimates are,

A Cornell University study, I mean, this is one of the sort of best guess estimates that you're referring to. Cornell study estimates that global AI could account for 6.6 billion cubic meters of water use by 2027, which is the equivalent of nearly two thirds of England's annual consumption. So the best guess estimates are,

that academics and experts in this field are making seem potentially catastrophic. We sort of almost expect this kind of behaviour from the tech sector. They've fought regulation tooth and nail in a number of different areas, not just AI. But... especially from a government that has at points touted its green credentials. We need more protection from our policymakers, right?

that academics and experts in this field are making seem potentially catastrophic. We sort of almost expect this kind of behaviour from the tech sector. They've fought regulation tooth and nail in a number of different areas, not just AI. But... especially from a government that has at points touted its green credentials. We need more protection from our policymakers, right?

Well, look, this is a conversation we've just scratched the surface of. Chris, we hope you'll come back and follow up further on this. But in the meantime, thank you so much for joining us today on Podsafe.uk.

Well, look, this is a conversation we've just scratched the surface of. Chris, we hope you'll come back and follow up further on this. But in the meantime, thank you so much for joining us today on Podsafe.uk.

Now, after the break, we're going to find out how the far right has spread its tendrils across the world and wedged itself firmly in the UK. We'll be speaking with journalist Nafiz Ahmed.

Now, after the break, we're going to find out how the far right has spread its tendrils across the world and wedged itself firmly in the UK. We'll be speaking with journalist Nafiz Ahmed.

With the re-election and imminent inauguration of Donald Trump, the rise of hard-right parties across Europe and Elon Musk blasting disinformation diarrhea all over the UK press, it feels like the long-standing effort to keep extremist forces out of the government is unfortunately over.

With the re-election and imminent inauguration of Donald Trump, the rise of hard-right parties across Europe and Elon Musk blasting disinformation diarrhea all over the UK press, it feels like the long-standing effort to keep extremist forces out of the government is unfortunately over.

To help us understand how the far-right is taking the world by storm and what can be done about it is Nafis Ahmed, a systems theorist, investigative journalist and the author of Alt-Reich, The Network War to Destroy the West from Within. Thanks for joining us, Nafis. Thank you.

To help us understand how the far-right is taking the world by storm and what can be done about it is Nafis Ahmed, a systems theorist, investigative journalist and the author of Alt-Reich, The Network War to Destroy the West from Within. Thanks for joining us, Nafis. Thank you.

Boy, it must be a real mixed emotions for you right now. Because everybody likes to be right, but sometimes you don't want to be right.

Boy, it must be a real mixed emotions for you right now. Because everybody likes to be right, but sometimes you don't want to be right.