A detailed analysis conducted by environmentalist Michael Thomas has highlighted the significant environmental impact that advances in artificial intelligence (AI) from tech giants like Amazon AWS, Google, and Microsoft are having. According to the study, Google and Microsoft each consumed 24 terawatt-hours (TWh) of electricity during 2023, surpassing the electricity consumption of over 100 countries, including Iceland, Tunisia, Azerbaijan, and Ghana.
To put these numbers into perspective, the electricity consumption of countries such as Iceland, Ghana, the Dominican Republic, and Tunisia was 19 TWh last year, while Jordan consumed 20 TWh. These figures underscore the enormous energy requirements that AI demands.
Thomas’s analysis also highlights that tools backed by Microsoft, such as OpenAI’s ChatGPT, and Google’s Gemini, are increasing greenhouse gas emissions. According to the study, a query to these chatbots consumes ten times more electricity than a traditional Google search.
The rapid advancement of AI is clearly having a damaging effect on the environment. Despite Google and Microsoft committing to be carbon-free or carbon-negative by the end of the decade, Thomas emphasizes that more needs to be done. These two companies are not only the second and fourth most valuable in the world, respectively, but their revenues surpass those of many countries. The question that arises is: at what cost are they achieving these advancements?
The international community and environmental advocates are facing a significant dilemma. On one hand, AI advancements are driving innovation and economic growth. On the other hand, the environmental impact of these developments is undeniable and alarming. Are these technological advancements worth it if they result in significant harm to the planet?
The discussion about the balance between technological progress and environmental sustainability is more relevant than ever, and Thomas’s analysis provides crucial data for this debate, emphasizing the urgent need to find solutions that enable more sustainable and less harmful technological development for our environment.