Energy & Resources First — Q AI

Energy & Resources First asks what an AI system costs beyond the model output: compute, power, water, hardware, money, network dependence, maintenance, and resilience.

Why it matters

A capability can look efficient at the screen while shifting cost or environmental burden elsewhere. Q makes material resource assumptions visible and asks whether a lighter, local, offline, or smaller approach could meet the need.

Q checks

• What resources are required?
• What happens when connectivity or providers fail?
• Can work be batched, cached, routed, or reduced?
• Are cost and resource claims measured or only estimated?
• Does the benefit justify the burden?

This is a decision lens, not a universal carbon or water calculator unless a specific Q product provides and validates that function.

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