AI seems to be absolutely everywhere at the moment. While we're still waiting for the productivity revolution — or the jobs apocalypse — the energy costs of AI are already staggering.

So how should we think about those environmental impacts of AI? And what can we learn from previous turns of the great technological wheel?

You can binge more episodes of the Lab Notes podcast with science editor and presenter Jonathan Webb on the ABC Listen app (Australia). You'll find episodes on animal behaviour, human health, space exploration and so much more.

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Featuring: 

• Dr Niraj Lal, renewables expert at the Australian National University 

Extra information: 

Data centres are vital for the future and AI but their environmental footprint can be a problem

This episode of Lab Notes was produced on the lands of the Gadigal and Menang Noongar people.