University of Groningen Researchers Focus on Sustainable and Collaborative AI Amid US $500 Billion Investment in AI Infrastructure

The US is going to build new infrastructure for AI, and regulations will become more flexible. In Groningen, researchers are working on more responsible AI, and energy-efficient hardware. Image: filedebop/DeviantArt

(IN BRIEF) The US plans a $500 billion investment into AI, including new infrastructure to support the energy demands of AI systems and flexible regulations. In contrast, researchers at the University of Groningen, led by professor Bart Verheij, are developing more sustainable AI technologies. Their focus is on AI that works collaboratively with humans, enhances reasoning abilities, and operates on less energy. Verheij criticizes the overestimation of AI’s intelligence and stresses the importance of ensuring AI systems are adjustable and capable of reasoning. The Groningen Cognitive Systems and Materials Center is exploring new materials to reduce AI’s energy consumption.

(PRESS RELEASE) GRONINGEN, 27-Jan-2025 — /EuropaWire/ — The US is set to make an extraordinary investment of $500 billion into artificial intelligence (AI), with plans to establish new infrastructure to support the energy-heavy demands of AI systems. Alongside this, regulations surrounding AI will become more adaptable. Meanwhile, at the University of Groningen, researchers are focusing on creating sustainable AI systems, emphasizing energy-efficient hardware and the development of responsible AI that can collaborate effectively with humans.

Professor Bart Verheij, who leads the societal challenge initiative within the Faculty of Science and Engineering at the University of Groningen, shares, “In Groningen, we are committed to improving AI.” He highlights the potential of AI, particularly in medical applications, an area where the university has made significant advancements. However, he also warns about the overestimation of AI’s capabilities. “AI is an incredible technology, but we often place too much trust in its intelligence, which can lead to significant errors.”

To address these challenges, Verheij and his team are focusing on developing AI that does not make autonomous decisions but can instead work alongside humans, adapting as necessary. He stresses the importance of reasoning in AI systems, explaining that current machine learning algorithms, which rely heavily on vast datasets, often lack the reasoning or argumentation that should accompany decision-making. “Take ChatGPT, for example,” Verheij says. “While it might seem impressive, much of what it produces is simply inaccurate or nonsensical.”

Verheij also points out the need for energy efficiency in AI systems, particularly in light of the vast infrastructure being built in the US. “AI should use far less energy,” he asserts, drawing a comparison with humans, who can function on just a few peanut butter sandwiches a day. To address this, the Groningen Cognitive Systems and Materials Center (CogniGron) is pioneering the development of innovative materials that could significantly reduce the energy consumption of AI systems.

Media Contact:

communicatie@rug.nl

SOURCE: University of Groningen