Artificial intelligence could potentially drive up the expenses associated with preserving personal images and videos in digital form.
Rising Costs in Tech and AI's Impact
In a rapidly evolving technological landscape, costs are on the rise, particularly in the realm of data storage and popular software applications.
The increasing demand by AI data centers has contributed to a surge in the cost of solid state drives (SSD) and hard disk drives (HDD). According to a recent report, these costs may soon increase by 30%. Western Digital and SanDisk, major players in the storage industry, have announced price changes for HDDs and NANDs respectively. SanDisk announced a 10% price increase for its entire NAND flash storage product portfolio, effective immediately, while Western Digital raised prices for its hard drives gradually, with effects felt immediately. Other manufacturers like Samsung, SK Hynix, and Kioxia may follow suit.
The rise in electricity costs in the US has also been attributed to the growth of power-hungry data centers. Since 2021, the cost of electricity has increased by 30%.
In the world of photography, Adobe, a leading software provider, has increased the cost of its Creative Cloud All Apps plan earlier this year, citing a need to "better reflect the value that the apps deliver." Late last year, Adobe also increased the cost of Lightroom and Photoshop, a move that was met with some controversy.
Hillary K. Grigonis, a renowned figure in the tech and photography world, leads the US coverage for Digital Camera World. With over a decade of experience writing about cameras and technology, her work has appeared in numerous prestigious publications such as Business Insider, Digital Trends, Pocket-lint, Rangefinder, The Phoblographer, and more. Grigonis, who is also a licensed drone pilot, favours a journalistic style in her wedding and portrait photography.
Despite the increasing costs, some studies suggest that AI automation could lead to reduced costs in some industries. Goldman Sachs predicts AI's impact on the job market to have "only a modest and temporary impact." However, a survey conducted by the World Economic Forum indicates that 41% of respondents intend to downsize the workforce with AI automation.
The new iPhone 17 series includes more computational photography than its predecessors, a testament to the advancements in technology. Avoiding the AI slop appearing across the web and social media feeds, however, remains a challenging task, if it's even possible at all.
Grigonis, who was a former Nikon shooter and is currently a Fujifilm user, has tested a wide range of cameras and lenses across multiple brands. The "Standard" plan launched by Adobe includes 25 generative "credits," offering a more affordable option for creatives.
As we navigate this period of rising costs and technological advancements, it's clear that the landscape is continually evolving. Keeping up with these changes and understanding their implications is crucial for both businesses and individuals alike.
