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Frankly, Google publishing a paper about AI is like Exxon publishing a paper about the environment. No company on earth has such a vested interest, or as stron

Frankly, Google publishing a paper about AI is like Exxon publishing a paper about the environment. No company on earth has such a vested interest, or as strong a fetish for using fewer and fewer humans to provide and support its services.

SpicyLemonZest 6y ago
At the same time, though, they have a uniquely informed perspective on what it’s like to run AI services at scale. Resolving to disregard AI research from Google seems like resolving to disregard transportation research from UPS.
- pessimizer 6y ago
  Their uniquely informed perspective makes it very difficult for the less informed to detect deception. It's better that they supply data to independent researchers who aren't going to later end up at Google, and allow them to provide the interpretation and context.
Isinlor 6y ago
Take it from Greenpeace: https://www.greenpeace.org/usa/news/greenpeace-response-to-google-carbon-free-by-2030-commitment/ https://www.greenpeace.org/usa/news/greenpeace-response-to-g... > Greenpeace response to Google Carbon-Free by 2030 commitment, September 14, 2020 > By becoming the first major tech company to commit to power its data centers with carbon-free energy around the clock, Google is setting a new high-bar for the sector: a break-up with fossil fuels altogether. I didn't think these people could be happy about anything, but what a surprise. Seems like they like Google approach. Now Google needs to deliver, but I have no doubt that they will. It's really just good business for corporations like Facebook, Google and Microsoft to increase efficiency and use the cheapest sources of power i.e. renewable. It just has to take some time to do the switch. There is a lot of infrastructure involved.
- craftinator 6y ago
  > Now Google needs to deliver, but I have no doubt that they will. Really? I'm thinking there's about a 90% chance that it will be a stillbirth. And if not, how long will they actually keep it up? Not a great track record for maintaining "commitments" past 5 years or so.
  - tdeck 6y ago
    Google is well placed to accomplish this goal so I see it as entirely possible. First, Google prints money like no other company. Google can afford carbon offsets and equipment changes. Second, Google consumes energy mostly in the form of electricity, which can be more easily converted to renewables. Google doesn't have a business model that depends on consuming a particular fossil fuel. Third, much of Google's energy consumption is centralized in very large data centers that can be optimized to reduce energy use, capture waste heat, etc... Fourth, this is an area where many Googlers are strongly supportive in addition to being a nice point of pride when marketing to customers.

SpicyLemonZest 6y ago

At the same time, though, they have a uniquely informed perspective on what it’s like to run AI services at scale. Resolving to disregard AI research from Google seems like resolving to disregard transportation research from UPS.

pessimizer 6y ago
Their uniquely informed perspective makes it very difficult for the less informed to detect deception. It's better that they supply data to independent researchers who aren't going to later end up at Google, and allow them to provide the interpretation and context.

Isinlor 6y ago

Take it from Greenpeace: https://www.greenpeace.org/usa/news/greenpeace-response-to-google-carbon-free-by-2030-commitment/ https://www.greenpeace.org/usa/news/greenpeace-response-to-g... > Greenpeace response to Google Carbon-Free by 2030 commitment, September 14, 2020 > By becoming the first major tech company to commit to power its data centers with carbon-free energy around the clock, Google is setting a new high-bar for the sector: a break-up with fossil fuels altogether. I didn't think these people could be happy about anything, but what a surprise. Seems like they like Google approach. Now Google needs to deliver, but I have no doubt that they will. It's really just good business for corporations like Facebook, Google and Microsoft to increase efficiency and use the cheapest sources of power i.e. renewable. It just has to take some time to do the switch. There is a lot of infrastructure involved.

craftinator 6y ago
> Now Google needs to deliver, but I have no doubt that they will. Really? I'm thinking there's about a 90% chance that it will be a stillbirth. And if not, how long will they actually keep it up? Not a great track record for maintaining "commitments" past 5 years or so.
- tdeck 6y ago
  Google is well placed to accomplish this goal so I see it as entirely possible. First, Google prints money like no other company. Google can afford carbon offsets and equipment changes. Second, Google consumes energy mostly in the form of electricity, which can be more easily converted to renewables. Google doesn't have a business model that depends on consuming a particular fossil fuel. Third, much of Google's energy consumption is centralized in very large data centers that can be optimized to reduce energy use, capture waste heat, etc... Fourth, this is an area where many Googlers are strongly supportive in addition to being a nice point of pride when marketing to customers.