Reddit debate: is compute the real hurdle to automating all cognitive labour?
Vivid-Flamingo-644 · reddit · 2026-09-06
A Reddit post challenges both AI maximalists and doomers on a shared blind spot: even if models get smart enough, replacing most cognitive labour requires running agents at comparable cost and scale — potentially demanding a large multiple of today's global energy production. The author questions whether Nvidia or anyone can squeeze enough efficiency out of GPUs, noting prompts already routinely take over 5 minutes and consume vast energy.
Related event: Reddit Debates Energy Limits of Automating All Cognitive Work(2 posts)→
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