I know how machine learning "AI" works, and there, the training is the costly part, using it is close to free.

Could someone knowledgeable explain what's the difference with those more recent large language models used by ghatgpt etc. ?

Heard something about 3 mile island... Relevent if true.

At the moment AI is consuming about 3x as much total power as gaming (60 terawatt hrs/yr vs 20), so presumably 3x more environmental impact. So my question is, if one thing is 3x worse does it make the other thing okay? I mean, it seems fair that the power consumption should make us roughly 1/3 as outraged by gaming as we are by AI.

B-b-but...