Very recently, there has been a lot of “talk” (podcasts and such) about how all American citizens need to prepare their homes with enough supplies and food to last at least 72 hours and for as long as 90 days.
The attempt to spread fear involves our power grid. There’s speculation that AI is capable of shutting down the entire power grid in the United States. My initial take on this was that it would be nearly impossible to complete that task. I figure the United States power grid has too many components to allow anyone, or anything, the ability to shut it down. Yes, it is possible to shut down segments, maybe even larger cities, but not the entire grid.
I did some research by asking the question, “Is it possible for AI to shut down the United States power grid?” What I learned from that search was that my skepticism was fairly accurate. It turns out our power grid consists of not only thousands of segments; it also runs independently from the public’s internet.
AI is harming our power grid through massive electrical consumption in data centers, straining the supply of electricity used by the public. This usage is likely to increase the cost of electrical power – the adage of supply and demand.
In the area I now live, there are a lot of people buying survival kits that contain foods that can be prepared without a heat source, among other things.
I know living without electricity would be very difficult, especially if it went on for more than a few days. Many businesses have their own power generators, but once those run out of fuel, they would be done producing power. Yes, it could be a big mess, but I’m pretty sure I wouldn’t have much problem finding enough to eat in our home – and I have a heat source available by burning wood in my fire pit, so I don’t think a few days without electrical power would be life-threatening. A very big inconvenience, but hopefully not life-threatening.
Some days I feel that our human race needs to slow down the race to create faster and better technical tools – or at least be sure the humans still have the ability to control what we create.
Have A Good Week!
