How do you feel about AI's energy use? Microsoft's Fairwater data center, built on a former Foxconn site, is now the world's most powerful. Each Nvidia B200 GPU can draw 1,200W of power, powering giant supercomputers with thousands of chips.

Data centers consume vast amounts of energy but don't create many jobs or economic opportunities. The boom in AI data centers has given GPUs and their energy consumption a new moral dimension. Is gaming with an Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090 a good use of power? What about Fortnite's thousands of players online?

Apple’s A19 chip, integrated into millions of iPhones, uses modest power for tasks like browsing or gaming but contributes to higher energy demands as batteries need more frequent recharges. The ethical questions span from mining raw materials to the environmental impact of e-waste.

As AI and GPUs grow in prominence, communities grapple with hosting data centers that can be seen as hulking warehouses full of servers. Is the environmental footprint justified by potential advancements in weather forecasting or wildlife conservation?

The GPU's journey from arcade games to AI has raised significant ethical questions. While some blame AI’s poor consumer uptake on its environmental impact, others see this as a convenient scapegoat for broader issues.