For several years, technology has advanced at an astronomical rate. From the first telephones to computers and cellphones, technology moves so fast that some of us struggle to keep up. The latest tech to enter this trend is artificial intelligence (AI), particularly generative AI platforms like ChatGPT and Gemini.
Generative AI has sparked debate, from ethical concerns about students using it in the classroom instead of writing their own papers to stealing artists’ work and replacing jobs. But one of the impacts of AI that has received less attention, until recently, is its environmental effect.
To put it bluntly, generative AI negatively affects the environment.
Experts have reported on the amount of Earth’s resources generative AI uses. For example, the data centers housing AI produce a significant amount of electronic waste. It seems that generative AI can produce such fast and sophisticated responses because of the energy it consumes. The machine processes information much faster than humans, which means it uses twice, if not more, resources than we do to power our brains. And unlike human brains, AI has to rely on tech to power its intelligence, which already has sustainability issues.
Secondly, generative AI consumes a significant amount of water. A shit ton. This is primarily due to the extensive power and energy required to operate these systems. According to a 2023 study, for every 5 to 50 prompts you give Chat GPT, it consumes about 500 milliliters of water, which amounts to about a 16-ounce water bottle. When considering the scale at which millions of people engage with it, you can only imagine how much water it drinks.
Moreover, we can’t overlook all the other emissions AI produces. There’s a reason you could write an academic paper on it, and several have published them; the impact is undeniable. As companies increasingly look to scale and jump on the latest AI craze, it’s hard to predict how much of these results will impact their usage. After all, companies focus on profits above all else, and while we all live on Mother Earth, it comes second to financial gain to many people.
Generative AI’s environmental problems go beyond the scope of what any one person can do to stop it.
Unfortunately, that applies to all sustainability issues. But that doesn’t mean you can’t do anything. For instance, being more conscious of what it’s doing is a big first step, which is why I’m sharing this with you.
Personally, these studies have served as a wake-up call for me, making me think twice about using AI to ask questions or even outline an article. As a writer, I’m aware of the discourse surrounding AI.Â
Something I do know, however, is that it’s important to slow down before jumping onto the latest craze. We need to examine how it affects us holistically, rather than solely focusing on the potential financial gains in the long run.
Photo by Chad Madden on Unsplash
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AI’s sustainability challenges are something I’ve been closely following. The energy consumption and environmental customer support voice impact of large-scale AI models concern me. It’s crucial to develop more efficient algorithms and invest in green technologies. Balancing innovation with environmental responsibility is essential to ensure AI’s long-term benefits without compromising the planet’s health.