How much muscle power does it take to generate an AI video? Visitors to the Deutsches Museum Bonn can now find out for themselves in a sporty way. The Computer Networks Working Group, led by Prof. Dr. Jürgen Jasperneite, of Institute Industrial IT (inIT) at the Technische Hochschule OWL has developed an interactive demonstrator and officially handed it over on-site.
A very special exhibit
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is omnipresent in our daily lives, yet the enormous energy consumption behind its computing processes usually remains invisible. To raise awareness of precisely this issue, inIT employee Pranish KC has designed a very special exhibit as part of the OWL AI Academy. The OWL AI Academy conducts interdisciplinary research into how AI can be used responsibly, efficiently and sustainably. Together with Benedikt Lücke, the completed AI energy ergometer was set up and put into operation at the museum.
From powering on a PC to an AI clip in six levels
The concept behind the demonstrator is quite simple, yet physically demanding: museum visitors have to pedal to generate electrical energy. All in all, the aim is to experience six different levels under your own steam – in the truest sense of the word – which illustrate the ever-increasing energy demands of modern technology
The scale ranges from simple tasks like turning on a PC (Level 1) to the ultimate challenge: generating an AI video clip that lasts just five seconds (Level 6). Anyone attempting to reach this final level quickly realizes just how much physical energy is embedded in the complex algorithms running in the background.
Commissioning immediately sparks competition
During the official commissioning and handover, Ralph Burmester and Jörg Bradenahl from the museum management expressed their enthusiasm. Once setup was complete, those involved alongside the museum staff wasted no time in testing the demonstrator themselves. This instantly sparked a sense of competition, with a lighthearted race quickly breaking out over who could complete all six levels the fastest.
Continuing a successful cooperation
The AI ergometer is already the second exhibit that the research institute from Lemgo has realized for the Deutsches Museum Bonn. This successful collaboration is set to continue in the future: during the handover, initial inspiring ideas for further joint exhibits and demonstrators were already generated, aiming to keep making complex science easy to understand and experience firsthand.
The AI ergometer is now ready for action at the Deutsches Museum Bonn, waiting for curious – and active – visitors to try it out!