Each word that is sent to AI tools such as Chat GPT break down into cluster numbers called token IDs, which are then sent to data centers powered by coal or natural gas plants. Usually, these data centers are larger than a football field. During the process for the prompt the AI gives, it roughly uses about 10 times more energy compared to a simple Google search. This was a cited estimate by The Electric Power Research Institute. Researchers in Germany concluded research and made a shocking discovery that each prompt or question you give to an AI chat bot such as a complex question uses up to six times more carbon dioxide, and smarter responses from the AI chat bot actually use 50 times more carbon emissions than a simple Google search. Ways we can reduce our carbon footprint are to not use a lot of AI resources daily such as Chat GPT, if at all, but if you do end up using it, be more polite with the chat bot as it uses less energy according to a study shown by Dauner.
In late March of 2023, Elon Musk urged AI labs to develop their powerful systems for up to six months. A letter that has 27,000 signatures was signed by Elon Musk, who was one of the top donors of the organization. GPT-4 is a technology that was introduced by San Francisco start-up OpenAI. This could be a huge danger to the environment & society. There’s speculation that the future systems might be a huge danger. Dr. Bengio, who is another important person who signed the letter along with Elon, has spent four decades trying to develop technology that has some similarities close to GPT-4. Technologies such as GPT-4 could take jobs from humans in the future or even the present. A paper that was written by OpenAI researchers have roughly estimated that at least 80 percent of the U.S workforce population & about 10 percent of their work tasks could be taken by L.L.M.s also known as Artificial Intelligence. Therefore, 19%-50% of workers might see their work tasks being impacted by AI.
Most of the AI tools use massive amounts of energy that comes from burning fossil fuels. This is the biggest contributor to global warming. IEA short abbreviation for International Energy Agency have roughly estimated that by 2026, AI consumption by cryptocenters, data centers, etc, could potentially reach 4% of annual global energy consumption. AI requires electricity which emits high amounts of pollutants and is not good for the environment as energy use releases fossil fuels combustion, which then generates greenhouse gas emissions. Doing all this contributes to climate change. Fossil fuels combustion is also not innocent as it releases pollutants leading to water and air pollution, and if not taken care of, could potentially have more of a risk leading to respiratory issues and acid rain.
Some solutions that we could coordinate in our daily routine are not using AI tools as much, or do not use them at all. Another tool that is better to use is a quick Google search and add -AI into your Google search as it will remove the AI prompt and give you non generated AI answers. If we continue our AI usage, eventually AI will be the death of nature and humans.
Sources:
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/05/01/technology/ai-problems-danger-chatgpt.html
https://www.cnn.com/2025/06/22/climate/ai-prompt-carbon-emissions-environment-
wellness
https://environment.yale.edu/news/article/can-we-mitigate-ais-environmental-impacts
Photo credit sources: https://theconversation.com/social-media-and-generative-ai-can-have-a-
large-climate-impact-heres-how-to-reduce-yours-240661
