Could We Replace Data Centers with … Plant DNA? | Cliff Kapono and Keolu Fox | TED

翻译人员: Fanglin ren 校对人员: Bruce Wang

Cliff Kapono: So people are pretty surprised

Cliff Kapono：所以当我告诉人们

when I tell them I know the world's first native Hawaiian genome scientist.

我认识世界上第一位夏威夷 原住民基因组科学家时，他们会感到非常惊讶。

Not because of all the texts he sends me about genome editing and DNA research,

不是因为他给我发了所有 关于基因组编辑和DNA研究的短信，

but mostly because they're dominated by cat memes.

而是主要是因为 它们以猫咪模因为主。

Keolu Fox: Oh, brother, you know there's plenty of surfing in there, too.

Keolu Fox：哦，兄弟，你知道 里面也有很多冲浪的地方。

CK: That's true. Those take up their own folder.

CK：确实如此。 它们占用自己的文件夹。

KF: There's something you should know about Cliff and I.

KF：关于克里夫和我， 你应该知道一些事情

We've known each other forever,

我们已经认识了很长时间，

and we spend way too much time staring at our phones,

而且我们花了太多时间盯着手机、

looking at surf videos.

看冲浪视频。

CK: He's one of those screen time people.

CK：他是那些对手机很有节制的人之一。

You know, FaceTime only,

你知道，只有FaceTime， 除非他和我们面对面交流，

won't answer the phone unless he's giving us face-to-face.

否则他不会接电话。

And if he is texting me, he's asking me to send him updates

如果他在给我发短信， 他就是要我给他发最新消息，

on what the waves look like or how the waves were.

告诉他海浪是什么样子 或者海浪怎么样了。

KF: That's true. I love FaceTime, but that's because Cliff here is unique.

KF：确实如此。我喜欢 FaceTime， 但那是因为这里的克里夫是独一无二的。

As the only professional surfer to have a PhD

作为唯一拥有分析化学博士学位

in analytical chemistry, no less,

的专业冲浪运动员，

he gets to spend his time exploring and surfing

他可以花时间探索和冲浪地球上

some of the most incredible waves on the planet.

一些最不可思议的海浪。

And now that we have the capacity

既然我们有能力

to share that information from anywhere in the world,

从世界任何地方共享这些信息，

why wouldn't we?

为什么不呢？

CK: Probably because it's using up all my monthly data,

CK：可能是因为它耗尽了 我所有的月度数据，

sending him images of what the waves look like

给他发送了

whenever I'm on a surf trip.

每当我去冲浪旅行时 海浪是什么样子的照片。

KF: That brings up a good point.

KF：这提出了一个很好的观点。

We do share and interact with terabytes of data almost every day,

我们几乎每天都会 与数兆字节的数据共享和交互，

some more than others.

有些比其他人还要多。

CK: Through texts, emails, and now this thing --

CK：通过短信、电子邮件 以及现在的这件事——

I don't know if you guys heard about AI --

我不知道你们有没有听说过人工智能——

we're entering a new phase of data production, consumption,

我们正在进入数据生产、

and probably one of the most challenging issues of our generation -- data storage.

消费的新阶段 ，也可能是我们这一代 最具挑战性的问题之一 ——数据存储。

KF: But we think we have a solution.

KF：但是我们认为我们有解决方案。

And the answer is an Indigenous one.

是个固有的答案。

We believe we can package text, images and even surf videos

我们相信我们可以将文本、 图像甚至冲浪视频

in the genomes of living organisms

打包到活生物体的基因组中，

and access them at a later time.

以后再进行访问。

CK: Because, as Keolu likes to remind me, what's a genome if not a giant hard drive?

CK：因为，正如 Keolu喜欢提醒我的那样， 如果不是巨型硬盘，基因组又会是什么？

Our difference is we want to put this information into local plants,

我们的不同之处在于，我们希望将 这些信息输入当地工厂，

sequestering atmospheric CO2,

封存大气中的二氧化碳，

and also reducing the energy required in a rapidly changing climate.

同时减少快速变化的气候所需的能量。

KF: You see, the climate crisis has a new problem.

KF：你看，气候危机 有了一个新问题。

Data centers are rapidly contributing to this climate crisis.

数据中心正在迅速助长 这场气候危机。

And data forecasters estimate

数据预测者估计，

that by next year, there will be over 50 billion

到明年，将有超过500亿台

IoT devices connected to one another,

物联网设备相互连接，

generating over 80 billion terabytes of information.

产生超过800亿太字节的信息。

And to put things into context,

更具体地说，

that new iPhone in your pocket,

你口袋里的那部新苹果手机

that can hold a total of around one terabyte of information.

总共可以容纳大约一太字节的信息。

CK: But we're not just storing information on our phones anymore.

CK：但是我们不再只是在手机 上存储信息了。

We're uploading them onto that cloud, wherever it is.

我们正在将它们上传 到云端，无论它在哪里。

And heat is a byproduct of cloud storage.

而热量是云存储的副产品。

It's estimated between three to seven kilowatt-hours of energy are needed

据估计，每传输和存储一 千兆字节的信息 需要

for every gigabyte of information transferred and stored.

三到七千瓦时的能量。

To put that into context, watching about two minutes of 4K video

综上所述， 观看大约两分钟

is the same amount of energy

的 4K视频相当于

that's required to power your phone for one year.

为手机供电一年所需的能量。

And if we are continuing to back up this information,

而且，如果我们 继续像鼓励我们

as we are encouraged to do,

那样备份这些信息，

the heat expenditure could increase exponentially,

那么未来热量消耗

moving into the future.

可能会呈指数级增长。

KF: Now data centers combat these thermodynamic challenges

KF：现在，数据中心 依靠冷却机制（比如空调）

by relying on cooling mechanisms, kind of like air conditioners,

来应对这些热力学挑战，

but they take up around 40 percent of their energy demands.

但它们占据了大约40％的能源需求。

And because of this,

正因为如此，

their energy footprint is greater than the airline industry's as a whole.

它们的能源足迹 比整个航空业的能源足迹还要大。

CK: Imagine how much energy was required by the entire US alone.

CK：想象一下， 光是整个美国就需要多少能源。

KF: Funny you should ask, Clifford.

KF：有趣的是，你应该问一下，克利福德。

The data industry requires approximately 200 terawatt-hours annually

数据行业每年需要大约 200 太瓦时，再加上手机、

and with the combination of smart devices,

手表和个人计算机

like phones, watches and personal computers,

等智能设备，

it accounts for two percent of global CO2 emissions.

它占全球二氧化碳排放量的百分之二。

But here's the kicker.

但关键在此，

With the introduction of GPUs

随着 GPU

and large language models,

和大型语言模型的引入

and deep learning,

以及深度学习，

heat emissions from data centers

数据中心的热排放

are poised to surpass the fossil fuel industry

有望超过化石燃料行业，

as the number one contributor to the climate crisis in our lifetimes.

成为我们一生中造成气候危机的头号因素。

But there's a better way. DNA.

但是有更好的方法。DNA。

After all, life has been storing information in the organisms' genomes

毕竟，生命在生物体的基因组中存储

for billions of years,

信息已有数十亿年了，存储文本、图像

and storing text, images and videos is nothing new.

和视频并不是什么新鲜事。

CK: Working off the research by Daniel Gibson,

CK：根据丹尼尔·吉布森的研究， 由塞思·希普曼和乔·戴维斯

a monumental study in 2017,

领导的2017年的一项

led by Seth Shipman and Joe Davis,

具有里程碑意义的研究向全世界表明，

showed the world that we can put a video into the genome of a bacteria.

我们可以将视频放入细菌的基因组中。

They showed us that every image pixel can be represented

他们向我们展示了每个图像像素都可以

by a unique RGB color code.

由唯一的RGB颜色代码表示。

KF: And that color code can be ciphered into the genetic code,

KF：而且这种颜色代码可以加密

and those sequences can be inserted

到遗传密码中，

into the noncoding portion of an organism's genome,

使用你们中许多人熟悉的基因组编辑技术， 可以将这些序列

using genome editing techniques that many of you are familiar with.

插入生物体基因组的非编码部分。

CK: And all we need to do to access this information at a later time

CK：要在以后访问 这些信息，我们所需要做的

is to sequence the genes that hold that information

就是对保存 这些信息的基因进行测序，

and cipher it back into the pixeled image.

然后将其重新加密回像素化图像。

And we see the potential of this research,

我们看到了这项研究的潜力，

and we want to expand beyond just single-cellular organisms like bacteria,

我们希望将范围扩展到细菌等 单细胞生物之外，

and move into multicellular organisms,

转向多细胞生物，像甘蔗等

multicellular organisms like sugarcane.

多细胞生物。

KF: What once was a symbol of colonialism across our islands,

KF：曾经是我们岛屿上殖民主义的象征，

can now be viewed as a symbol for a more sustainable future.

现在可以看作是更可持续未来的象征。

CK: If you're not catching the colonial reference there,

CK：如果你没有看到那里的殖民地文字，

let us remind you of some of the history.

那就让我们提醒你一些历史吧。

In 1893, a group of American sugarcane plantation owners

1893年，一群美国甘蔗种植园主

illegally overthrew the Hawaiian Kingdom,

非法推翻了夏威夷王国，部分原因是

in part to avoid tax import on sugar production,

为了逃避糖生产的进口税， 在我们的岛屿上

leaving behind 131 years of illegal occupation

留下了131年的非法占领

and systemic oppression across our islands.

和系统性压迫。

KF: And for many of us Hawaiians,

KF：对于我们许多夏威夷人来说，

sugar has left a bitter taste in our mouths.

糖，在口中留下了苦味。

CK: But we want to reshape this narrative and take back agency

CK：但，我们想重塑这种说法，

by putting data into the very thing that nearly wiped out our people.

通过将数据投入到差点消灭我们员工 的事物中来收回代理权。

Additionally, we see sugar as something

此外，

that is beyond just a way to decolonize the data industry,

我们认为糖不仅是实现 数据行业非殖民化的一种方式，

but also a way to show something practical.

还是一种展示实用价值的方式。

Its genome is enormous, and it has multiple genes within it.

它的基因组非常庞大， 里面有多个基因。

KF: Which theoretically is great for data storage,

KF：从理论上讲， 这对于数据存储、

duplication and integrity.

复制和完整性非常有用。

Imagine storing over 200,000 terabytes of information in a single gram of DNA.

想象一下，在一克DNA中存储 超过20万太字节的信息。

CK: And you would think with this sort of technology,

CK：你可能会认为有了这种技术，

we'd be out there planting acres and acres of these sugar drives,

我们就会在那里种植数英亩的糖厂，

like those greedy fuckers of the past.

就像过去那些贪婪的混蛋一样。

(Laughter)

（笑声）

But we think we have something different. We want to do it differently.

但是我们认为我们有一些不同的东西。 我们想以不同的方式做这件事。

KF: We believe that sugar drives are just a small part of the solution.

KF：我们认为糖驱动器 只是解决方案的一小部分。

We’re also exploring other Indigenous varieties of breadfruit, coconut

我们还在探索其他本土 品种的面包果、椰子

and other microbiota.

和其他微生物群。

We have an ambitious dream of revitalizing Indigenous land systems

我们有一个雄心勃勃的梦想，

that double as biological data centers.

那就是振兴兼作生物数据中心的 土著土地系统。

CK: And we hope everyone remembers

CK：我们希望每个人都记住，

that indigeneity is just not about being native peoples.

本土化与成为原住民无关。

It's about understanding the unique roles

这是关于了解多个物种

that multiple species have within our ecosystem.

在我们生态系统中的独特作用。

KF: All of us come from unique places

KF：在座的所有人都来自独特的地方，

with a tremendous amount of native species.

有大量的本地物种。

Collectively, all of those species help those systems to function better.

总的来说，所有这些物种都 有助于这些系统更好地运作。

CK: All of us Indigenous beings have to reckon with the fact

CK：我们所有的原住民都 必须考虑这样一个事实，

that we all must return to the earth,

那就是我们都必须回到地球，

and that MEGA Land is a place where we hope our data can go.

而那个巨型大地是我们希望 我们的数据能够存放的地方。

KF: Resting on the banks of our town's largest living estuary,

KF：这片占地两英亩的土地

this two-acre parcel of land

坐落在我们镇最大的活河口岸边，

is a beacon of hope for Indigenous people around the world.

是世界各地土著人民的希望灯塔。

CK: What was destined to be another hotel, condominium or marina

CK：原本注定是另一家酒店、 公寓或码头的地方，

is now becoming a thriving Indigenous land use center.

现在正在变成一个蓬勃发展的 土著土地利用中心。

KF: Here, there exists a tremendous amount of information

KF：这里有大量的信息

that can be digitized and stored locally,

可以数字化并存储在当地，

just like our community's oral histories, hula and chants.

就像我们社区的 口述历史、呼啦舞和圣歌一样。

CK: Biodiversity metrics can be taken alongside environmental observations

CK：依赖该区域的人们可以将生物多样性指标 与环境观测

by the people who depend on this area

一起采用，

and put into organisms that potentially hold the key to environmental resilience.

并投入到可能 成为环境适应能力关键的生物体中。

KF: Data no longer need be taken away from these places

KF：数据不再需要从这些地方带走

and stored in hot, dark, noisy rooms miles away.

并存储在数英里之外炎热、黑暗、 嘈杂的房间里。

CK: It can remain connected to the land,

CK：它可以保持与土地的联系，

like the stories of old and the Indigenous peoples of today.

就像古老的故事 和当今土著人民的故事一样。

KF: We're talking about doing something new

KF：我们正在谈论做一些我们

that we know to be very, very old.

知道已经非常非常古老的新事物。

CK: And this might not solve the global data storage crisis,

CK：这可能无法解决 全球数据存储危机，

but as we move into a future where there's digital species

但是随着我们进入一个有数字物种

and AI influencers,

和人工智能创作者的未来，

we hope that some of the solutions that we so desperately seek

我们希望我们迫切寻求的一些解决方案

aren't only found in a deep algorithm in some supercomputer,

不仅可以在某些超级计算机的深度算法中找到，

but they might be in a community that is standing in front of you today.

而且可能存在于当今站在你面前的社区中。

(Applause)

（掌声）

Oh, you guys are getting crazy. OK.

哦，你们疯了。好吧。

(Applause)

（掌声）

But probably the biggest hope, for me at least,

但是，至少 对我来说，整个实验最大的希望可能

of this whole experiment --

是——

(Laughter)

（笑声）

Is to one day be able to respond to Keolu's annoying texts.

有一天能够回复Keolu的烦人短信。

KF: How were the waves?

KF：海浪怎么样？

CK: Take a hike at the MEGA Land,

CK：在 MEGA Land 徒步旅行， 对一些 DNA 进行测试，

sequence some DNA and see it for yourself.

然后亲眼看看。

Both: Thank you.

两个：谢谢。

(Applause)

（掌声）

(Laughter)

（笑声）