"A request on ChatGPT is like wasting a bottle of water and powering a light bulb for 15 minutes," according to A. Kapoor in an investigation by the media outlet NOW.
Chances are, as you read this, you have already used an AI tool or feature. As observed among our clients and even within Semetis, AI is disrupting our sector and redefining our routine. Indeed, AI is integrated into numerous tools and the campaigns we run (for example, bidding strategies).
Currently, ChatGPT is one of the most trendy AI tools. It is almost unnecessary to remind that ChatGPT has marked a major breakthrough in artificial intelligence, automating tasks and enhancing productivity across various sectors. However, this powerful technology comes at an environmental cost. Its operation relies on significant energy consumption, increasing the carbon footprint of its users. This is an important aspect that brings challenges for responsible AI use.
How ChatGPT increases your energy footprint
One of the first things to consider when assessing ChatGPT's environmental impact is the energy consumption related to its operation and training of these AI models. These systems require extensive server infrastructures, particularly data centers, to store and process large-scale data. Indeed, an important part of this energy consumption is dedicated to cooling systems, essential for maintaining optimal temperatures and preventing overheating. Indeed, studies indicate that cooling data centers can account for approximately 40% of their energy consumption. For ChatGPT, this energy demand is heightened by the intensive calculations necessary for running its advanced language models.
Indeed, the initial training of ChatGPT is extremely energy-intensive. Research on similar AI models, such as BLOOM, shows that training this model consumed 25 tons of CO2. For the GPT-3 model (on which ChatGPT is based), emissions are unfortunately 20 times higher, equivalent to approximately 300 round trips between Paris and New York (source). These impressive numbers underscore the importance of thinking critically about our use of the tool and its relevance for simple queries.
ChatGPT users, how can you reduce your impact?
Although ChatGPT is a powerful and convenient technology that saves time, it is crucial to remember that we all have a role to play in using this tool more responsibly and thereby reducing our environmental impact. Here are some suggestions for using this tool more sustainably:
- Formulate clear and precise queries: Every query sent to ChatGPT requires energy to process. By being more specific and concise in your questions, you can limit the number of interactions and thus reduce energy consumption.
- Limit unnecessary queries: We've all asked a somewhat trivial question to this tool. But in the end, what is the energy cost of that query? While ChatGPT can answer nearly anything, it is wise to reserve its use for truly meaningful tasks. Using the tool occasionally can help reduce the tool’s overall carbon footprint.
- MyGPTs, centralize common requests and plan intensive usage sessions for groups of users: By organizing specific times during which users engage with ChatGPT, resources can be utilized more effectively rather than spreading out queries over long periods. While planning intensive usage sessions does not directly reduce energy consumption, it allows servers to handle a large volume of requests at once, maximizing their efficiency (source).
Toward a more sustainable use of AI
Now you are aware: while ChatGPT is transforming how we interact with artificial intelligence, its environmental cost should not be ignored. The training of models and the daily use of the tool require significant amounts of energy, resulting in increased CO2 emissions for its users. However, it is easy to adopt a more thoughtful and responsible approach that can help reduce both your impact and that of the tool. Although the carbon footprint of AI is still modest compared to other sectors, it is essential to continue seeking sustainable solutions to minimize its environmental impact.
So... the next time you ask a question to ChatGPT, consider whether the answer is truly worth it. This remains a simple step to help reduce your carbon footprint!
Pénélope Négrault
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