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Each time users say “please” or “thank you” to an AI assistant, these seemingly simple gestures are translated into energy-consuming commands. Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, confirmed on social media that the electricity expenses incurred for processing interactions reach into the millions. While he argues that this expenditure is justified, there are significant environmental implications.
The Energy Demand of Data Centers
Currently, data centers account for approximately 2% of global electricity consumption. According to the International Energy Agency, this could escalate to 150 TWh in the upcoming year, significantly surpassing the 460 TWh recorded in 2022. This emphasizes that every polite remark made to a chatbot contributes to a carbon footprint already weighing tons.