NetApp: How AI Expansion is Challenging the UK's Green Goals
UK technology companies are grappling with how to harmonise sustainability targets with their aspirations in artificial intelligence (AI), amidst difficulties in managing data, according to insights from NetApp.
Research shows an overwhelming 92% of IT leaders in the UK recognise the detrimental environmental effects attributed to single-use data – bits of information gathered, stored, but hardly ever used again – and express a strong commitment to curtailing emissions tied to IT operations.
Nevertheless, the enticements of AI compel enterprises to boost their data storage capacities, sparking concerns over their impact on the environment.
Industry experts predict an average surge of 41% in data volume due to AI initiatives, which could escalate their carbon footprints if not strategically managed.
Addressing single-use data
Despite these challenges, the imperative to maintain sustainability drives firms to emphasise IT roles in achieving ecological objectives.
NetApp's study notes that 85% of IT chiefs underline data management as pivotal in decreasing their environmental imprint, with the mitigation of emissions playing a central role in tackling the inefficiencies of single-use data.
- 92% of UK IT leaders are aware of the environmental impact of single-use data
- Business leaders estimate AI projects will cause data volumes to grow by 41%
- 85% of IT leaders view data management as key to cutting their carbon footprint
- 38% of data remains unused in UK tech companies
- 30% of IT leaders struggle to identify which data to retain for AI projects
Though many organisations have instituted measures like routinely purging redundant data from their stocks – collectively known as data estates – about 38% of institutional data reportedly still goes unused. The tech companies in the UK find it burdensome to sift through massive volumes of data; hence, they find it more financially viable to expand storage solutions than to optimise existing setups.
NetApp notes that just over 30% of IT leaders find it challenging to discern which data to keep for future use, particularly for AI endeavours.
“Today's findings identify not just a challenge in data management, but a conundrum and a fine balance: British businesses want to reap the benefits and opportunities presented by AI, while reducing the carbon footprint of their data," says Matt Watts, Chief Technology Evangelist at NetApp.
“Tackling single-use data is a key piece of this puzzle and businesses must continue to invest more in reviewing and staying on top of their data estates.”
Navigating AI implementation and environmental responsibility
Despite the environmental stakes, British technology enterprises remain steadfast in their pursuit to seize opportunities presented by AI technology.
NetApp’s research discloses that three out of four IT leaders have fine-tuned their data management frameworks to accommodate AI and are gearing up for the inevitable expansion, acknowledging that adept data handling is crucial for AI success. They anticipate a 41% average increase in their data footprint resulting from AI, which represents a significant scale-up for companies that are already handling extensive, oftentimes mismanaged, historical data.
Moreover, more than a quarter (27%) expect this growth to exceed 50%, spotlighting the extensive data demands AI operations necessitate.
“While awareness around the environmental impacts of AI and data is front of mind for many now, translating that awareness into action is where things get complex," says Nicola Acutt, Chief Sustainability Officer at NetApp.
“The answer isn't necessarily to downsize data, or to make do with less. Businesses require practical expertise, resources and solutions, with sustainability baked in from the very start, to effectively manage their data and ensure more responsible AI implementation.”
Sue Daley OBE, Director at techUK, adds: “It is encouraging to see many taking an active effort to reduce the emissions of IT operations.
“As AI implementation accelerates across businesses, it will be important to further build on these efforts, ensuring that resources and infrastructure are aligned to support responsible growth.”
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