Today at the Digital Kyrgyzstan International PLUS-Forum, former Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers Akylbek Zhaparov equated the progress of artificial intelligence to nuclear technology and the manufacture of microchips. However, a key figure in his speech begs the question: AI models consume more electricity than the whole of Kyrgyzstan.

One advanced AI model, such as ChatGPT, requires 180 million kilowatt hours annually. By comparison, Kyrgyzstan consumed about 17.2 billion kilowatt-hours in 2023. That means just 80 such algorithms and the country will face an electricity shortage.

‘We ban cryptomining because it eats up too much electricity. But artificial intelligence is unequivocally even more voracious. Imagine that, over time, humanity will start saving electricity in their own homes to feed the computing power for artificial intelligence. Perhaps there will be no revolt of the machines, but we ourselves will become their energy slaves, and absolutely voluntary,’ said Akylbek Zhaparov, former head of the Cabinet of Ministers, in his speech. 

In addition, AI is already creating a new facet of inequality. If access to powerful language models costs $10 a month, and as Akylbek Zhaparov noted, for many people in the world this is more than the cost of water.

Large multinational corporations have already realised that artificial intelligence is more important than political conflict. Apple and Alibaba have partnered in this area despite US-China trade confrontations. Kyrgyzstan has not participated in the nuclear arms race, has not become a key player in the semiconductor industry, but has a chance to fit into the new digital Silk Road. The development of AI is gaining momentum — and the question is whether we will be mere spectators or get involved in the process.