The Guardian · AI
Digital decluttering puts online habits and AI energy use in focus
A Nature Communications study links people's average online activity—40% of their waking hours—to the equivalent of 229kg in carbon emissions. The article says clearing digital clutter can lessen environmental impacts and improve productivity. It also notes that generating text, images or video with AI requires far more energy than traditional computing methods.
What to know
- 01
The study reports that people spend an average of 40% of their waking hours online.
- 02
Photo and video streams, crowded inboxes and unread subscriptions add to demand for digital infrastructure.
Why it matters
Digital decluttering concerns personal productivity as well as the environmental burden of digital infrastructure.
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