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The hidden costs of AI

PNAS Science Sessions

Release Date: 02/23/2026

Genomic history of the Golden Horde show art Genomic history of the Golden Horde

PNAS Science Sessions

Genomics of the Golden Horde Science Sessions are brief conversations with cutting-edge researchers, National Academy members, and policymakers as they discuss topics relevant to today's scientific community. Learn the behind-the-scenes story of work published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), plus a broad range of scientific news about discoveries that affect the world around us. In this episode, Ayken Askapuli explains genomic insights into the ancestors and descendants of the Golden Horde. In this episode, we cover: •[00:00] Introduction. •[00:56] Population...

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Concrete and carbon uptake show art Concrete and carbon uptake

PNAS Science Sessions

How much carbon dioxide concrete can absorb Science Sessions are brief conversations with cutting-edge researchers, National Academy members, and policymakers as they discuss topics relevant to today's scientific community. Learn the behind-the-scenes story of work published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), plus a broad range of scientific news about discoveries that affect the world around us. In this episode, Hessam Azarijafari explains the extent to which concrete can absorb carbon dioxide over its lifecycle. In this episode, we cover: •[00:00] Introduction....

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Reconstructing extinct species' sense of smell show art Reconstructing extinct species' sense of smell

PNAS Science Sessions

Determining how well extinct animals could smell Science Sessions are brief conversations with cutting-edge researchers, National Academy members, and policymakers as they discuss topics relevant to today's scientific community. Learn the behind-the-scenes story of work published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), plus a broad range of scientific news about discoveries that affect the world around us. In this episode, Quentin Martinez describes a reconstruction of olfactory capabilities in extinct mammals. In this episode, we cover: •[00:00] Introduction...

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The hidden costs of AI show art The hidden costs of AI

PNAS Science Sessions

Hidden sustainability costs of AI Science Sessions are brief conversations with cutting-edge researchers, National Academy members, and policymakers as they discuss topics relevant to today's scientific community. Learn the behind-the-scenes story of work published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), plus a broad range of scientific news about discoveries that affect the world around us. In this episode, researchers describe the sustainability impact of AI data centers. In this episode, we cover: •[00:00] Introduction •[01:20] Bronis de Supinski describes how the...

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How mosquitoes time their bites show art How mosquitoes time their bites

PNAS Science Sessions

Molecular regulation of mosquito biting timing Science Sessions are brief conversations with cutting-edge researchers, National Academy members, and policymakers as they discuss topics relevant to today's scientific community. Learn the behind-the-scenes story of work published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), plus a broad range of scientific news about discoveries that affect the world around us. In this episode, Laura Duvall introduces a potential pathway for disrupting the biting behavior of mosquitoes. In this episode, we cover: •[00:00] Introduction...

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Impact of flu vaccines on hospital burden show art Impact of flu vaccines on hospital burden

PNAS Science Sessions

How well flu vaccines protect public health Science Sessions are brief conversations with cutting-edge researchers, National Academy members, and policymakers as they discuss topics relevant to today's scientific community. Learn the behind-the-scenes story of work published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), plus a broad range of scientific news about discoveries that affect the world around us. In this episode, Lauren Meyers explains what the 2022-2023 influenza season taught us about the effectiveness of flu vaccines. In this episode, we cover: •[00:00]...

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Secrets of Earth’s climate in six-million-year-old ice show art Secrets of Earth’s climate in six-million-year-old ice

PNAS Science Sessions

Air quality and pet health Science Sessions are brief conversations with cutting-edge researchers, National Academy members, and policymakers as they discuss topics relevant to today's scientific community. Learn the behind-the-scenes story of work published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), plus a broad range of scientific news about discoveries that affect the world around us. In this episode, Sarah Shackleton shares climate lessons learned from 6 million-year-old ice. In this episode, we cover: •[00:00] Introduction •[01:02] Paleoclimate and ice scientist...

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China, ascendent show art China, ascendent

PNAS Science Sessions

China’s science leadership Science Sessions are brief conversations with cutting-edge researchers, National Academy members, and policymakers as they discuss topics relevant to today's scientific community. Learn the behind-the-scenes story of work published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), plus a broad range of scientific news about discoveries that affect the world around us. In this episode, James Evans explains how and why China's leadership in global science is rising. In this episode, we cover: •[00:00] Introduction •[00:56] Social and complex systems...

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Genetic history of dog domestication show art Genetic history of dog domestication

PNAS Science Sessions

Genetic history of dog domestication Science Sessions are brief conversations with cutting-edge researchers, National Academy members, and policymakers as they discuss topics relevant to today's scientific community. Learn the behind-the-scenes story of work published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), plus a broad range of scientific news about discoveries that affect the world around us. In this episode, researchers explore the impact of domestication on dog genetics and behavior. In this episode, we cover: •[00:00] Introduction •[01:00] Greger Larson explains...

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Air pollution and pet health show art Air pollution and pet health

PNAS Science Sessions

Air quality and pet health Science Sessions are brief conversations with cutting-edge researchers, National Academy members, and policymakers as they discuss topics relevant to today's scientific community. Learn the behind-the-scenes story of work published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), plus a broad range of scientific news about discoveries that affect the world around us. In this episode, Stephen Jarvis explores the health impacts of poor air quality on pets. In this episode, we cover: •[00:00] Introduction •[00:51] Environmental economist Stephen Jarvis...

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More Episodes

Hidden sustainability costs of AI

Science Sessions are brief conversations with cutting-edge researchers, National Academy members, and policymakers as they discuss topics relevant to today's scientific community. Learn the behind-the-scenes story of work published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), plus a broad range of scientific news about discoveries that affect the world around us.

In this episode, researchers describe the sustainability impact of AI data centers.

In this episode, we cover:
•[00:00] Introduction
•[01:20] Bronis de Supinski describes how the energy demands of AI data centers have increased in recent years and why improvements in data center energy efficiency will not necessarily reduce total energy expenditures
•[03:08] Eric Masanet explains the difficulty of tracking and projecting the energy usage of AI data centers.
•[05:12] Shaolei Ren describes the water usage and air pollution associated with AI data centers.
•[07:30] Tevfik Kosar explains how AI might be leveraged as a tool to help address climate change and sustainability challenges.
•[09:00] Final thoughts and conclusion.

About Our Guests:
Bronis de Supinski 
Chief Technology Officer
Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory 

Eric Masanet 
Professor
University of California Santa Barbara
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory

Shaolei Ren 
Associate Professor 
University of California Riverside

Tevfik Kosar 
Professor
University at Buffalo

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Visit Science Sessions on PNAS.org: https://www.pnas.org/about/science-sessions-podcast 

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