The AI Leader’s Guide to Daily Sustainability

Welcome to another edition of the Centre for Sustainable Intelligence newsletter.

This is where I try to explore the intersection of artificial intelligence and environmental sustainability. My mission is to share my observations across these core themes: AI for Good, Ethical AI, Sustainable AI and AI in Sustainability. I hope to inform, inspire and engage readers interested in the potential of AI to drive positive change for both people and the planet.

Here’s what’s in stock for you today:

• News Bite: Apple Intelligence is finally available on your Mac.

• Deep Dive: The AI Leader’s Guide to Daily Sustainability.

• Tech Trend: Anthropic Introduces “Prompt Caching”.

News Bite: Apple Intelligence is finally available on your Mac.

Looks like Apple’s Intelligence features are up for grabs with the second developer beta of macOS Sequoia—well, unless you’re in China. If you’re curious to try it out, this beta includes cool features like Writing Tools, Siri updates, Safari and Mail summaries, Smart Replies, Memory Movies, transcription tools, and a Focus Mode to reduce interruptions, among others.

I haven’t had a chance to test it myself yet, but if you’re thinking about jumping in, make sure you’ve backed up your Mac with Time Machine first. That way, you can easily roll back if anything goes sideways. And if you’ve got a spare Apple silicon Mac lying around, that’s the perfect place to test the beta. Just remember, beta versions can be a bit unpredictable, so proceed with caution!

Deep Dive: The AI Leader’s Guide to Daily Sustainability

As an AI leader, founder or investor you know that AI is changing the game in so many ways, and there’s one piece of the puzzle you can’t afford to overlook—sustainability. Whether you're running the show, building the next big thing, or deciding where to put your money, sustainability needs to be part of your daily thinking. To remain a success today and in the future there are key things you must keep on your radar.

Let’s go!

1. Energy Efficiency and Carbon Footprint

We all love the power of AI, but let’s face it, it can be a bit of an energy hog. Training those massive large language models and running complex algorithms takes a ton of juice, which can leave a pretty big carbon footprint. Check out my previous issue on the insatiable energy appetite of AI, for more on AI’s carbon footprint.

The good news? There are ways to keep things green. Start by making your models more energy-efficient. And when it comes to powering your data centers, think renewables. It’s not just good for the planet, it’s something more and more customers and partners care about.

2. Responsible Data Usage

Data is the lifeblood of AI, but let’s be real, not all data is worth collecting. It’s important to make sure the data you’re using is sourced ethically and doesn’t invade anyone’s privacy. Plus, the more data you hoard, the more energy you burn through storing and processing it.

So, here’s the play: only gather what you really need. This not only keeps your energy use in check but also helps you stay on the right side of growing concerns about data privacy.

3. Align with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are like a global to-do list for a better future. When you’re working on your AI projects, ask yourself how they can support these goals.

Whether it’s helping with clean energy, healthcare, or sustainable farming, aligning your work with SDGs isn’t just about doing good—it’s also a smart move for the long haul, as more people start to care about the impact tech has on the world.

4. Circular Economy Practices: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle ♻️

Let’s talk about the hardware side of things. AI isn’t just about software—it’s also about all those servers, sensors, and gadgets we rely on. But what happens when they become outdated? If they just get tossed, that’s a ton of e-waste.

Here’s where circular economy practices come in. Think about the entire lifecycle of your products—how can they be refurbished, repurposed, or recycled when they’re no longer useful? It’s a smart way to cut down on waste and keep things sustainable.

5. Inclusive and Equitable AI Development

AI has the power to bridge gaps, but if we’re not careful, it could also widen them. There’s a real risk of leaving behind those who don’t have the same access to technology, especially in developing regions.

To make sure your AI is truly global, think about how it can be inclusive. Consider different languages, cultural contexts, and levels of tech access. The goal? AI solutions that benefit everyone, not just a select few.

6. Environmental Impact of AI Applications

AI can drive huge changes in industries like farming, energy, and transport, but we need to keep an eye on the environmental impact of these applications.

For example, an AI system that boosts crop yields is great, but not if it harms the soil or local ecosystems. Always assess the environmental impact and take steps to minimize any negative effects. It’s about making sure your AI does more good than harm.

7. Collaboration for Sustainable AI

Sustainability is a team sport. By collaborating with other industries, governments, NGOs, and people at the Centre for Sustainable Intelligence, you can amplify the impact of your AI solutions.

Transparency is key here. Share what you’re doing in terms of sustainability, and be open to learning from others. By working together, we can create a stronger, more sustainable AI ecosystem.

8. Continuous Learning and Adaptation

Sustainability is always evolving, and staying informed is a must. Keep up with the latest trends, regulations, and technologies in sustainability. Attend conferences, join discussions, and make sure your team is doing the same.

And don’t be afraid to pivot. Whether it’s adopting new energy-efficient tech or tweaking your data practices, being adaptable is key to staying relevant and responsible.

Wrapping It Up

Sustainability isn’t just a buzzword—it’s a vital part of the AI journey. By focusing on energy efficiency, ethical data use, and inclusive development, you’re not just building cutting-edge tech—you’re also helping to create a more sustainable future.

As AI leaders, founders, and investors, it is your responsibility to make sure we’re not just pushing the boundaries of what’s possible, but also making sure we’re doing it in a way that’s good for people and the planet. The future depends on it!

Tech Trend: Anthropic Introduces “Prompt Caching”.

As AI models get more advanced, they often need longer and more detailed prompts, which can really drive up costs, have huge energy burn and slow down processing. This is especially a problem for things like chatbots, coding assistance, and handling big documents where you need to reference the same context over and over again.

Traditionally, you’d have to send the entire prompt every time you make an API call, which can get expensive and time-consuming, especially with long prompts that don’t change much. But here’s where the Anthropic API comes in with a cool new feature called “prompt caching.”

With prompt caching, you can store those frequently used prompt contexts and reuse them, which saves both money and time. This feature is currently in public beta for certain Claude models like Claude 3.5 Sonnet and Claude 3 Haiku, and it’s coming soon to Claude 3 Opus. It’s a handy way to make AI interactions more efficient without breaking the bank and of course leaving a lot of carbon footprint.

That’s all I have for you today.

That’s all I have for you in this edition of Centre for Sustainable Intelligence.

If you have any questions or feedback please use this form. I will try my best to respond to all your questions and feedback.

If want me to feature an article in the News Bite or Tech Trend sections, please get in touch and I will see what I can do to feature it.

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Thank you!

Emeka Ogbonnaya