Looking at the hidden costs of GAI.
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The authors also found that air pollution stemming from AI disproportionally affects certain low-income communities, partly because of their proximity to power plants or backup generators at the data-processing centers. Additionally, the pollution drifts across county and state lines, creating health impacts on communities far and wide, Ren says.
"The data centers pay local property taxes to the county where they operate," Ren says, "But this health impact is not just limited to a small community. Actually, it travels across the whole country, so those other places are not compensated at all."
For example, pollution from backup generators at data centers in Northern Virginia drifts into Maryland, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, Delaware, and the District of Columbia, creating regional public health costs of some $190 million to $260 million a year. If these backup generators emit at their maximum permitted level, the annual costs will increase tenfold and reach $1.9 billion to $2.6 billion.
In some areas, the public health cost associated with AI processing centers may exceed what the tech companies pay for electricity, the study shows.
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an unsurprising gop mega-donner
Liz and Dick Uihlein's company has some scummy practices.
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Uline – a giant Wisconsin-based office and shipping supply company controlled by billionaires Liz and Dick Uihlein – shuttles in its own workers from Mexico, who are using tourist visas and visas meant for employees who are entering the US temporarily to receive professional training, known as B1 visas. But instead of being part of a dedicated training program, the Mexican employees stay for one to six months and – sources with direct knowledge of the matter allege – perform normal work in Uline’s US warehouses.
Lawyers and immigrants’ advocates told the Guardian they believed the alleged practice is likely illegal and could be exploitative of the workers enrolled in the program.
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a tip of the hat to Sukie
If you buy office supplies, there are more reputable companies with leaders that aren't into right-wing christianity and overthrowing democracy.
05:09 in Current Affairs, General Commentary | Permalink | Comments (0)