Sustainability of AI and Advanced Computing (ENERGY 185, ENERGY 285)

3 credits · Graduate

Artificial Intelligence (AI)-driven deployment of computing infrastructure is experiencing unprecedented, explosive growth, challenging global sustainability and presenting major innovation opportunities. This course delves into the rapid technological changes in computing infrastructure and the challenges they present for energy, emissions, and water. The course prioritizes quantitative modeling of energy, emissions, and water historical and future impacts. Through these models, the students will assess main technological opportunities, including low emissions power, backup power, flexible operation, energy-efficient thermal management, low carbon infrastructure, and waste heat recovery, that can most significantly improve data center sustainability.