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The Environmental Impact of ChatGPT

  • 2 days ago
  • 2 min read

Since ChatGPT’s public launch in late November 2022, it has received a staggering 4.5 billion monthly visits. At first glance, artificial intelligence seems to have only minor drawbacks, with more pros than cons for the human population, but as AI becomes more common in our daily lives, the negatives gradually outweigh the positives. 


The main concern with AI is its severe environmental impact, prompting many to protest against the use of these tools. Certain AIs, such as Generative Artificial Intelligence, cause more damage than traditional AI. Generative AI creates new content like songs and stories using prompts, while traditional AI handles predefined tasks. As a result, Generative AI uses 10 to 30 times more water than traditional AI because it requires more water- or liquid-based cooling to keep the system cool. The fact that generating a single image uses as much energy as fully charging a mobile phone highlights a shocking limitation of AI that not many people even know about. 


Furthermore, AI data centers require large amounts of energy, which is often derived from fossil fuels and, in turn, produces carbon emissions, contributing to greenhouse gases in the air. Mining of rare earth materials like copper for the semiconductors that are powering AI, pushing countries like China to dig for more rare earth materials. Given China’s lax environmental policies, this further harms the environment and puts miners at greater risk. 


So, how bad are these environmental problems? Well, for one, AI data centers produce electronic waste, which includes substances like lead and mercury, and is often dumped into water bodies. Furthermore, increased mining of elements and greater AI use are driving rising greenhouse gas emissions, worsening global warming. Moreover, AI using a ton of water worsens access to clean water and sanitation for those who desperately need it. These environmental impacts are not new, but they are rapidly worsening given how prominent AI and technology are, so undoing them could take decades and will require a sustained effort.


There have been growing efforts and awareness of AI’s environmental impact, prompting governments in the EU and the USA to introduce legislation to temper it. There are non-binding recommendations on the ethics of AI, including the one that more than 190 countries have adopted, but these are just recommendations and not legally binding. 


Overall, AI is really damaging as it impacts not only the environment but also the human population. For instance, with the increasing demand for electricity from data centers, electricity prices have skyrocketed, affecting families and brick-and-mortar businesses. Despite efforts to curb the negative impacts of AI, these tend to be limited and overshadowed by the capitalist nature of big businesses and governments. We have to stand our ground and take action now before it is too late.


Writer: Renise

Published: 27/04/2026


References

Partners, C. I. (2025, October 28). The carbon footprint of AI. Climate Impact Partners. https://www.climateimpact.com/news-insights/insights/carbon-footprint-of-ai/

AI has environmental problems Here’s what we can do about it. (n.d.). https://www.unep.org/news-and-stories/story/ai-has-environmental-problem-heres-what-world-can-do-about

Explained: Generative AI’s environmental impact. (2025, January 17). MIT News | Massachusetts Institute of Technology. https://news.mit.edu/2025/explained-generative-ai-environmental-impact-0117

Pallardy, R. (2025, February 11). Is AI driving demand for rare earth elements and other materials? Information Week. https://www.informationweek.com/machine-learning-ai/is-ai-driving-demand-for-rare-earth-elements-and-other-materials-





 
 
 

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