We are a paradox

Another day passed; nothing seemed to have changed in the universe.

The sun rose, punctual as ever, though perhaps a minute later than it did
yesterday.

The sky bore the same deep blues, the clouds thankfully subdued,
and yet beneath this serene facade, churned songs of different hues.

Within, the invisible hum of countless battles echoed:
Some cells, battered and weary, fell in silent surrender,
while others, newborn and bold, rushed forward to the front lines.

Fierce and unrelenting, the wars raged in unseen depths,
keeping the machinery of existence alive.

We are a paradox:
a facade of outward calm,
but held together,
by unseen chaos.

AI's Hunger for Energy: How Rising Energy Demands Could Reshape Our Future

 

Artificial intelligence may not consume food like humans, but its insatiable appetite for energy is a challenge we must address responsibly

Arun Kumar

Arun Kumar + AI: AI's Hunger for Energy

Summary: As AI technology advances, its escalating energy demands are beginning to resemble the sci-fi trope of civilizations expanding to fuel their growth. AI’s demand for energy is urging tech giants like Google and Microsoft to invest in nuclear energy to support their vast data networks. Alongside these technological advances will come significant ethical and environmental challenges.

The vision of an advanced civilization with a relentless hunger for energy, driven to expand beyond its limits to fuel its growth, is a familiar theme in science fiction. In many futuristic tales, civilizations become so reliant on energy-intensive technologies that their search for power sources drives them to conquer other worlds. Today, however, this sci-fi scenario doesn’t seem entirely far-fetched. The evolution of artificial intelligence (AI), and the massive energy needs it brings, may soon push us to rethink our relationship with energy in profound ways.

AI’s hunger for power is very real. Demand for electricity has prompted some of the world’s largest technology companies to explore power solutions to meet their needs. This quest for energy could propel us into an era where cutting-edge energy resources are no longer just a convenience but a necessity for continuing the advancements we wish to pursue.

The AI Energy Appetite: More than Just a Data Center Issue

Artificial intelligence is a transformative technology, reshaping everything from medicine and finance to education and entertainment. However, it comes at a price — namely, the staggering amount of electricity required to train, run, and maintain AI systems. A simple natural language model, for instance, requires an enormous amount of computational power to train, consuming more energy in a few hours than the average household might use in several years.

This exponential demand is driven by the fact that AI systems thrive on data, and to create meaningful insights, they need to analyze colossal datasets, requiring processing and storage on an immense scale. Today’s data centers — massive, sprawling facilities housing thousands of computers — are responsible for providing the infrastructure for these operations. And as AI models, and their scope continue to grow, so does its demand for energy. With this spike in demand, AI’s need for power is fast becoming a key issue, prompting technology companies to explore more advanced energy options.

Big Tech Courts Nuclear Power

To address the rising energy needs of AI, tech giants are beginning to look beyond traditional energy sources like fossil fuels and renewable resources. While renewable energy sources, such as wind and solar, have come a long way in efficiency and cost-effectiveness, they still have limitations. For one, they are subject to weather conditions and geographical constraints, making it difficult to guarantee a steady energy supply for data centers that require round-the-clock operation.

Enter nuclear power. Nuclear energy provides a consistent, reliable source of power. In recent years, big tech companies such as Google, Microsoft, and Amazon have all made significant investments or partnerships related to nuclear energy. For instance, Microsoft recently announced a partnership with a nuclear fusion company to meet its long-term energy needs. Google has also been exploring nuclear options, recognizing that nuclear energy’s low-carbon footprint and reliability make it an attractive option for its vast network of data centers.

The Environmental and Ethical Implications

With increased demand for power, there are also ethical and environmental considerations that cannot be ignored. Nuclear energy, while relatively clean in terms of carbon emissions, comes with its own set of environmental challenges, including the risks of radiation leaks and the problem of nuclear waste. Then there’s the issue of whether it’s ethical to dedicate such vast resources to powering AI and data centers when those resources could be allocated to other pressing global issues, such as healthcare, clean water access, or food security.

If AI continues to develop, it may not just be the algorithms and models that evolve, but our very approach to energy production and consumption may also see a paradigm shift.

Final Thoughts

While today’s AI developments are promising, they bring with them a need for power that is testing the limits of our current energy infrastructure. In an AI-powered world, energy may no longer be a silent, secondary consideration. It could become a central aspect of our society, influencing our environmental policies, economic priorities, and ethical decisions. Whether or not we turn to nuclear power — or even more futuristic energy solutions — remains to be seen. But one thing is certain: AI’s energy appetite is beginning to echo science fiction tales.

Ciao, and thanks for reading.

Aging Together: A Journey of Friendship and Pickleball

 

Growing old together means you’ll always have someone to remind you where you left your glasses… because I’ll probably be sitting on them.

Arun Kumar

Arun Kumar + AI: Aging Together

Summary: In a retirement community, a group of us ‘aged people’ arrived around the same time, sharing the journey of settling in and embracing new activities like pickleball. Over time we will grow older together. Though we’re all beginners now, our skills and interests will mature differently, and our paths will diverge. Yet, our true connection lies in aging together. Slowly, our chats will turn from playful banter to comparing aches and pains of old bodies, eventually becoming watchers on the sidelines observe the new arrivals go through a similar drill.

Recently, moving into a retirement community marked the start of a new chapter for us. Although I’m still working, we made the transition for a couple of reasons: to settle into a place where we want to retire while we’re still active and capable of handling the challenges of a big move, and to escape the long, cold winters of our previous home.

We’re now settling in, and part of this process involves engaging in the variety of activities offered by our new community, a 55+ retirement community. While we do that, I’m starting to realize that, as I age, I’ll be sharing a unique journey with fellow retirees — especially those who, like us, arrived around the same time.

We’ve started to establish new routines and friendships, including our introduction to pickleball — a game that we newcomers are all learning to play. For now, we’re united by our inexperience and eagerness to try something new, making each misstep and missed shot part of the fun (and, occasionally, the cause of an audible curse).

As we get our feet wet together, I realize that, over time, some of us will progress faster than others, and our skill levels in pickleball will start to vary. Some will join more experienced players as they advance, others may be content staying where they are, and still others may decide it’s not their cup of tea and move on to try different activities.

But regardless of where our pickleball skills take us, one thing will remain constant: we will age together. Gradually, our conversations will shift from discussing games and learning new skills to comparing aches and pains, sharing doctor recommendations, and reflecting on changes we never anticipated. Over time, as we become less active players and more spectators, our courtside chats will evolve into quieter observations from the sidelines.

Our shared aging would be woven into the life of getting older in this community. None of us arrived here in our youth — we are all here precisely because of the stage of life we’re in — old. Our being here is contingent of being over 55 and we are required to provide evidence for it (e.g., the drivers license).

Our shared aging is part of the fabric of life in this community. None of us arrived here in our youth — we’re all here precisely because of the stage of life we’re in: older adulthood. Our residence here is contingent on being over 55, something we even had to verify (for example, with a driver’s license).

As us, the old people get older together, our days will be marked by shared experiences, and mutual support that the process of aging requires. In the end, this gradual, graceful aging will be our common bond, reminding us that while each of us may have our own aches and individual journeys, we are also on a journey together. Towards that, pickleball is just an excuse for greater adventures.

As we, the older generation, continue aging together, our days will be shaped by shared experiences and the mutual support that growing older requires. In the end, this gradual, graceful aging will be our common bond, reminding us that, while each of us has our own aches and individual journeys, we are also on a shared path. On that journey, pickleball is just the beginning of adventures yet to come.

Ciao, and thanks for reading.

Balancing Novelty and Memory: Lessons from Larry

 

Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards — Søren Kierkegaard

Arun Kumar

Arun Kumar + AI: Balance

Summary: Without memory retention, everything is done the first time, and it could make life interesting. However, this state of being also brings forth a paradox of balancing novelty, memory, and identity. While novelty brings excitement and growth, memory provides stability and a sense of self. Without memory of our past, we would struggle to form deeper connections and an identity. This highlights the importance of balancing new experiences with memory and having a fulfilling life.

Meeting Larry

We finally took the leap and moved to a 55+ retirement community. There were several reasons behind our decision: a desire to escape extended winters and avoid being homebound for a good part of the year; a wish to settle down in a place where we might eventually retire while our bodies and minds are still functioning well; and the appeal of being in a setting that offers ample opportunities for social interactions.

So far, living in this community has been a pleasant experience. The little pond behind our home offers a blend of tranquility, and there are plenty of social activities to choose from. Being here also gave us the chance to meet a fellow resident, Larry. This is a little story about Larry and the life lessons be brought home.

We don’t have any background on Larry and only come across him during our walks. The curious thing about our encounters is that each time we meet, it’s a novelty for him. Perhaps due to the impairments of old age, Larry might be having trouble remembering. At the beginning of each meeting, we go over the same pleasantries again. This repetitive yet novel experience has led me to ponder a paradox: each day is a new experience for Larry, but at the same time, he lacks the continuity of time and the memories that define the self. Given that, what is the utility of novelty for him?

Memory and Who We are

Memory plays a crucial role in shaping our identity. It is through our recollections of the past that we build a sense of continuity and self-awareness. For Larry, however, each day is a blank slate. This raises an interesting question: Is the perpetual novelty of Larry’s experience beneficial, or is there a need for a balance between novelty and the retention of memory?

On the one hand, the novelty of each day for Larry can be seen as a positive aspect. Every interaction is fresh and untainted by the baggage of past experiences, allowing him to live in the moment. This can be particularly beneficial in a retirement community, where the focus is often on enjoying the present, making the most of each day, and trying to brush aside the angst of our finite existence.

However, the lack of memory retention also poses challenges. Memories provide a framework for understanding our place in the world and our relationships with others. Without a clear notion of the past, Larry might struggle to form deeper connections and maintain a coherent sense of self.

Is There an Optimal Place?

The paradox of Larry’s situation underscores a broader truth about life: the need for a balance between novelty and memory. Novelty brings excitement and a sense of discovery, which are essential for growth. It keeps life interesting, prevents stagnation, and makes us look forward to getting out of bed in the morning. On the other hand, memory provides stability and a sense of identity. It allows us to learn from our experiences and build meaningful relationships. However, the capacity of our brains is finite. In the end, we cannot carry everything from the past along. Some memories need to be let go to make room for new experiences.

While not remembering anything and allowing each day to be a novel experience in bad, being forever burdened by everything from the past is not good either.

As we age, this balance becomes particularly important. It allows us to have new experiences while selective retention of memories helps maintain a sense of continuity and identity. A well-lived life is an intricate optimization problem. All aspects of our well-being require balance and moderation — neither too little nor too much exercise is good; both overeating and undereating are harmful; and too much or too little sleep is detrimental.

On one of our upcoming walks, we’ll run into Larry again. Instead of the usual, “Long time, no see. How have you been?” we’ll simply say, “Nice to meet you,” giving Larry the pleasure of a fresh experience. It’s the least we can do.

Ciao, and thanks for reading.