Energy Consumption of AI Compared to Traditional Light Bulbs

The energy usage of AI technologies, like ChatGPT, is significantly lower than traditional incandescent light bulbs. A query to ChatGPT requires about 0.01 to 0.1 watt-hours, while a 60-watt incandescent bulb consumes 60 watt-hours. This comparison highlights that, on a per-query basis, AI systems may be more energy-efficient than commonly used lighting options. However, when considering the larger context of AI's operational needs, a study found that AI could eventually become a major energy consumer, potentially using up to 18% of total U.S. electricity demand by 2030.