It would be fantastic if our other GHG-producing activities were held to the same level of criticism as AI.

You’re gonna get downvotes defending AI on Lemmy - our Overton window is ^*tiny*.

A ChatGPT prompt uses 3 Wh. This is enough energy to:

Leave a single incandescent light bulb on for 3 minutes.

Leave a wireless router on for 30 minutes.

Play a gaming console for 1 minute.

Run a vacuum cleaner for 10 seconds.

Run a microwave for 10 seconds

Run a toaster for 8 seconds

Brew coffee for 10 seconds

Use a laptop for 3 minutes. ChatGPT could write this post using less energy than your laptop uses over the time you read it.

Going to restaurants and movies gets expensive fast. If it’s just me, there’s no way I’m burning through my disposable income on that stuff.