Do you really know? How much CO2 does a search on ChatGPT emit?
Apr 11, 2025
Explore the surprising environmental cost of AI, especially through ChatGPT. A recent study highlights that generating a simple email can use as much energy as 14 LED bulbs for an hour. Daily ChatGPT interactions can lead to significant CO₂ emissions, with ten requests adding up to nearly a ton yearly. Discover why AI consumes so much energy and what tech companies are doing to mitigate its impact. Can we make AI sustainable? Tune in to find out!
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ChatGPT's Carbon Footprint
- A single ChatGPT request emits 2.5-5 grams of CO2.
- Ten daily exchanges over a year accumulate to almost a ton of CO2.
AI's Resource Consumption
- AI consumes significant energy and water, impacting the environment.
- A 100-word AI-generated email uses the same energy as 14 LED bulbs for an hour and a bottle of water.
Data Centers and Energy
- AI's energy consumption stems from massive data centers operating 24/7.
- Constant cooling, often using scarce water resources in dry regions, is necessary.