Send us a text We dive into the environmental impact of AI technologies and explore the science behind how pet touch affects human well-being. • Generative AI consumes significant energy with a ChatGPT query using approximately 10 times more energy than a Google search • By 2028, data centers could account for 12% of US energy use, up from 4.4% currently • Companies rarely disclose the true energy costs of training and running AI models • Smaller AI models can achieve similar results with dramatically lower carbon footprints • Practical solutions include choosing efficient models, using AI during off-peak hours, and minimizing unnecessary words in prompts • Recent study of 443 pet owners shows both giving and receiving touch contributes to owner well-being • Stroking pets shows stronger positive effects on well-being than hugging or holding • Pet leaning behavior (like when dogs press against their owners) is particularly beneficial for emotional health • The act of giving touch to pets may be more beneficial than receiving touch from them • The physical mechanisms of touch involve specialized nerve fibers that respond differently in hairy versus non-hairy skin Our links: Our Website! www.bunsenbernerbmd.com Sign up for our Weekly Newsletter! Bunsen and Beaker on Twitter: Bunsen and Beaker on TikTok Support the show For Science, Empathy, and Cuteness! Being Kind is a Superpower. All our social links are here!
