IA environmental impact: how we can use it more consciously

What impact has a generative AI on the environment?

Artificial intelligence has created a buzz in recent years. We talked about his prospects And immense advantages, and even its potential consequences concerning ethical use, moving work, elimination of certain trades, etc. But at its current development stage, what aspect many of us do not consider? What do we know about the environmental impact of AI?

Before asking your GO-TO IA tool to generate a professional whim for your LinkedIn, let's take a moment to review certain current research. Is it worth the imprint? In addition, what can we do to use this fascinating and fresh technology as conscientious as possible?

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Here is everything you need to know about the generative AI and its environmental implications. This article is not intended to dissuade the use of AI; It is rather an incentive to start an open conversation on how we can both benefit from its advantages and guarantee that guarantees are in place for the good of our planet.

The environmental impact of generative AI: figures and statistics

It is sure to say that when the first AI model became available for public use, many people were excited, while others were not. Assisting technological breakthroughs in his life is an unrivaled experience, which has led many people to try chatbots and Genai tools. But what preceded their launch and what does that mean for the environment? Let's talk about numbers.

Any AI technology or tool begins with training. In simple terms, this means nourishing the AI ​​model with the data necessary to provide answers. The formation of a single model of AI consumes thousands of megawatts – the formation of the GPT -3 would have required 1,287 MWh, issuing 552 tonnes of Co₂. (1) This is equivalent to 123 petrol passenger vehicles driven for an entire year. (2) In addition, as the electricity requirements fluctuate during the training phases, they require stability solutions of the electrical network which often use diesel generators. By combining this with the fact that energy consumption continues beyond the training, by deployment, the interaction of users and iterations, it is sure to say that the environmental imprint is massive.

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In addition, data centers are at the heart of the training and management of AI models. They generally contain tens of thousands of servers each and quickly multiply to follow the demand for increasing AI. From 2022 to 2025, the energy needs of the North American data center doubled from 2,688 MW to 5,341 MW. In 2022, overall use reached 460 TWh. By 2026, global consumption of data centers could amount to 1,050 TWh, which marks 5 of the largest electricity consumers in the world. (1)

In addition, data centers require cooling laps and air mechanisms to dispel heat, which require significant amounts of water—2 liters per kWh of energy consumption. A rare and finished natural resource, the imprint of AI water even affects local water supply, ecosystem and biodiversity. (1)

It is preferable to think that AI technologies are advancing more, their environmental impact will decrease and become more manageable, and their design will eventually become more durable. For the moment, however, because the more recent models are generally more important, they end up aggravating the cycle of increasing energy demand, and there are still short data gaps to assess their true environmental impact in the short term and long -term. The growing integration of AI into our daily life and our applications could also lead to unconscious overuse by everyday users, which makes the parameters of use more conscious and lasting use.

How can you use more than generative AI?

Make development, deployment and use of the more sustainable AI mainly incumbent on those who create it. However, as a final user, we can define directives when it comes to taking advantage of these tools as effectively and consciously as possible in our professional and personal life.

Educate

Okay, you must use an AI tool to obtain an administrative task away or more rationalize a process. It is a good opportunity to find out more about AI in general. As is the case with most things, educating yourself on this subject will do more good than harm. Invest a little time to find out more about what it takes to develop and form an AI model. Discover as much as possible on the data it uses and how it is scheduled to process it. Find out more about this subject, which will continue to stay under the spotlight until the next great thing, is an investment in being a more responsible user.

Is there another way to get your answer?

Can you ask a colleague, a friend or an expert on what you need to know? Can you seek it by other means, such as web research or an online community? Yes, internet research has its own environmental impact. In terms of number, at the end of 2025, the GOOGLE greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) were equivalent to 14.31 million tonnes of carbon dioxide. (3) However, a considerable percentage of this figure was largely due to the expansion data centers of the company required for the exploitation and expansion of its AI services.

Research also estimated that one Chatgpt invite requires five times more electricity than web research. (1) However, with many search engines by currently piloting AI integration responses into their search results, the upcoming changes in the way we use the Internet will certainly be interesting, not to mention the new figures for their environmental footprint. However, before sending a quick question to your favorite chatbot, examine if investing additional efforts to locate the answer elsewhere is worth it.

Promote knowledge sharing

Recent recently a quality article on the environmental impact of AI or an unprecedented jump in its technology? Share it with your peers. If your business requires the integration of AI tools into daily workflows, create a training session to respond to concerns and provide information on reasoning behind their implementation. Consult a professional with IA expertise To educate your employees on the subtleties of this technology and how to fully get it. Alternatively, assembling a team that keeps a trace of these new trends and advanced to give the scoop to the rest of the organization. By establishing effective knowledge sharing channels, you (and your team or your business) can learn to best use these emerging technologies and determine how you can get the yields you are looking for.

(Try) to balance it

Many of us use AI because we owe it, because it makes things easier, or simply because we want to explore this technological breakthrough that occurs before us. These are all perfectly acceptable reasons. However, if you know that you will use your essential Genai tool with an increasing frequency, try to return something to the environment. You have seen the figures and environmental effects behind the use of AI. Although simple individuals cannot prevail over and overcome the combined environmental impact of ginormous data centers working to maintain AI on the move, you can always try to be more concerned with the environment. Practice sustainability, establish programs on the scale of the organization for Environmental responsibility of companiesWork at home, get a bicycle, plant trees, etc., to balance the scales, even a little bit. This could be an idealistic company, but with collective effort, it could possibly make a difference.

Conclusion

At this point, almost everyone used AI to a certain extent, and it's great to try new things. Its innovative potential is certainly something that deserves to be explored. What is important is to forge your own opinion on the moment and how you need to go. Do you want AI to be a tutor, an assistant, a search engine, a recipe developer or something else? It's you! The generative AI has the power to disturb the world as we know it, and not only with regard to the way we do things. Its impact goes beyond the redefinition of efficiency, including almost all aspects of human activity. It all starts with our environment. Staying aware, looking for educational opportunities to expand our understanding and, of course, do our part to ensure a better future for future generations is more crucial than ever.

References:

(1) Explained: the environmental impact of the generating AI

(2) A computer scientist breaks down the general carbon footprint of AI

(3) Netzero carbon