グーグル、温室効果ガス排出量が急増 AI増強の問題点が浮き彫りに

Google’s greenhouse gas emissions soar, highlighting problems with AI enhancement

Google’s greenhouse gas emissions soar, highlighting problems with AI enhancement
米IT大手グーグルは2日、2024年版の環境に関する年間報告書を発表した

US IT giant Google released its 2024 annual environmental report on the 2nd.

US IT giant Google released its 2024 annual environmental report on the 2nd.
この報告書によると、同社の温室効果ガス排出量は2019年以降48%増加している

According to the report, the company’s greenhouse gas emissions have increased by 48% since 2019.

According to the report, the company’s greenhouse gas emissions have increased by 48% since 2019.
同社はこの急増の主な理由として「データセンターのエネルギー消費とサプライチェーン(供給網)の排出量の増加」を挙げている

The company cited ”increased data center energy consumption and supply chain emissions” as the main reason for this sharp increase.

The company cited ”increased data center energy consumption and supply chain emissions” as the main reason for this sharp increase.
グーグルが主力製品に人工知能(AI)の組み込みを急ぐなか、AIシステムを稼働させる大量の強力なコンピューティング機器がひしめくデータセンターでは、データを処理し、それらのコンピューターが発する熱を管理するために大量のエネルギーを消費している

As Google rushes to incorporate artificial intelligence (AI) into its flagship products, the data centers packed with the massive amounts of powerful computing equipment that power the AI systems are required to process data and manage the heat generated by those computers. consumes a large amount of energy

As Google rushes to incorporate artificial intelligence (AI) into its flagship products, the data centers packed with the massive amounts of powerful computing equipment that power the AI systems are required to process data and manage the heat generated by those computers. consumes a large amount of energy
グーグルは30年までに温室効果ガス排出量を実質ゼロにする「ネットゼロ」を達成するという同社の目標を「極めて野心的」と呼ぶ

Google calls its goal of achieving net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 ”extremely ambitious”

Google calls its goal of achieving net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 ”extremely ambitious”
この公約はAIの影響を受けるものの、「AIが未来の環境に与える影響は不透明で、複雑かつ予測が難しい」と述べている

Although this pledge will be influenced by AI, it states that ”the impact of AI on the future environment is uncertain, complex and difficult to predict.”

Although this pledge will be influenced by AI, it states that ”the impact of AI on the future environment is uncertain, complex and difficult to predict.”
国際エネルギー機関(IEA)の推定によると、グーグル検索のクエリーは平均0.3ワット時、ChatGPT(チャットGPT)のリクエストは通常約2.9ワット時の電力を消費する

The International Energy Agency (IEA) estimates that a Google search query consumes an average of 0.3 watt-hours of power, while a ChatGPT request typically consumes approximately 2.9 watt-hours of power.

The International Energy Agency (IEA) estimates that a Google search query consumes an average of 0.3 watt-hours of power, while a ChatGPT request typically consumes approximately 2.9 watt-hours of power.
昨年10月に発表された研究によれば、「最悪のシナリオ」ではグーグルのAIシステムの年間電力消費量はアイルランド一国の消費量と同等になる可能性があるという(現在のハードウェアとソフトウェアにAIが全面的に導入されると仮定した場合)

A study published last October found that in a ”worst-case scenario” Google’s AI system could consume as much electricity per year as the entire country of Ireland (current hardware and software (Assuming that AI is fully introduced in

A study published last October found that in a ”worst-case scenario” Google’s AI system could consume as much electricity per year as the entire country of Ireland (current hardware and software (Assuming that AI is fully introduced in
同社のデータセンターの電力消費は現在、カーボンフリー電源を導入する速度を上回るペースで増加しているという

The company says its data center power consumption is currently growing faster than it is installing carbon-free power sources.

The company says its data center power consumption is currently growing faster than it is installing carbon-free power sources.
データセンターで冷却に使われる大量の水も持続可能性を実現するうえでの課題となっている

The large amounts of water used for cooling in data centers also poses a sustainability challenge.

The large amounts of water used for cooling in data centers also poses a sustainability challenge.
グーグルは30年までにオフィスとデータセンターで消費する水の120%を補給することを目指していると述べている

Google says it aims to replenish 120% of the water it uses in its offices and data centers by 2030.

Google says it aims to replenish 120% of the water it uses in its offices and data centers by 2030.
ただし、一昨年の6%からは大幅に増加したものの、昨年の補給量はわずか18%に過ぎない

However, although this was a significant increase from 6% the year before last, last year’s supply amount was only 18%.

However, although this was a significant increase from 6% the year before last, last year’s supply amount was only 18%.