AI and the environment

AI can do some remarkable things, but like many technologies, it has an impact on the environment.

You may have heard concerns about how much electricity AI uses, the water needed to keep computers cool or the environmental cost of building the equipment that makes AI possible. These are reasonable questions.

Understanding both the benefits and the costs can help you make informed choices about how you use AI.

Why does AI need so much computing power?

AI doesn't work by magic. Behind the scenes, powerful computers process enormous amounts of information. Many are housed in large buildings called data centres.

Data centres also support familiar services such as email, online banking, websites and video streaming. Some AI systems require particularly powerful equipment, especially when they're being developed or used to create images and videos. All of this uses electricity.

What about water?

Computers generate heat when they're working. Some data centres use water as part of their cooling systems to prevent equipment from overheating. Water may also be used indirectly when electricity is generated or computer equipment is manufactured.

The amount varies depending on the technology, location, climate and cooling system. In places where water is already scarce, this can be an important concern for local communities.

Not every data centre uses water in the same way, and the environmental impact can differ considerably.

Does asking AI a question harm the environment?

Every digital activity uses some resources, whether you're searching the internet, watching a video or asking AI a question.

A short text question will generally require fewer computing resources than creating a detailed AI-generated video. But it's difficult to give one reliable figure for how much electricity or water an individual AI question uses.

Different AI systems work differently, and companies don't always publish enough information to make accurate comparisons. When millions of people use AI regularly, even relatively small amounts per request can add up.

What about carbon emissions?

Generating electricity can produce greenhouse gases, depending on where the energy comes from. A data centre powered mainly by renewable electricity may have a different impact from one relying heavily on fossil fuels.

There are also emissions associated with manufacturing computer chips, building data centres and replacing equipment. So looking only at the electricity used when you ask a question doesn't tell the whole story.

Can AI actually help the environment?

Yes, it has the potential to. AI is being used to support work such as:

• Energy efficiency: Helping buildings and electricity networks use energy more effectively.
• Weather forecasting: Improving some predictions and helping researchers understand weather patterns.
• Environmental monitoring: Analysing information about forests, oceans and wildlife.
• Scientific research: Investigating new materials, batteries and other technologies.
• Transport: Supporting more efficient routes and reducing unnecessary journeys.

These uses may provide benefits, but the benefits aren't automatic and don't mean AI's own environmental costs can be ignored.

What can I do as an everyday AI user?

You don't need to feel guilty about asking AI a question or enjoying what it can do. Some simple choices include:

• Use AI when it's useful. You don't need AI for every task.
• Ask clear questions. Explaining what you want can avoid unnecessary back-and-forth.
• Choose the right tool. Sometimes a calculator or ordinary internet search is enough.
• Think about what you're creating. Generating many images or videos may use more resources than a simple text question.
• Stay curious. Look for reliable information about how AI companies operate.

These are sensible habits, not rules. Responsibility for reducing environmental impact doesn't rest with individuals alone. Technology companies, energy providers and governments also have important roles.

Should environmental concerns stop me using AI?

That's a decision only you can make. You might decide some uses are worthwhile and others aren't. You might use AI occasionally, regularly or not at all.

There's no need to ignore the environmental impact, and no need to feel ashamed of finding AI useful.

One last thing

AI is developing quickly, and so is our understanding of its environmental effects. New technology may make systems more efficient, but growing demand could still increase their overall use of energy and resources.

Understanding the costs as well as the benefits helps you make choices that are right for you.