We're metabolising the planet, for profit

"We're metabolising the planet, for profit" - reflections on digital research infrastructures' impacts, and responsible research innovation.

Most research depends at least to some extent on 'digital research infrastructures' (or DRI), not least, increasingly, AI.  Despite the noted associated environmental impacts of ICTs, their applications and underlying infrastructures, little consideration has to-date been given to how to limit the impact of research and innovation processes themselves. In this talk we reflect on work interviewing users and providers of high performance computing.  We find intersecting socio-cultural and technical dimensions that link to research institutions like conferences, funders, and universities which reinforce and embed, rather than challenge, expectations of growth and waste.  At a time when large scale cloud systems, mixed reality and ever larger AI systems are multiplying, we argue for more moderate, responsible and meaningful use of computational infrastructures.  

This seminar is also available for remote-joining on Zoom: https://ucl.zoom.us/j/98510327254