Sam Altman: ChatGPT Query Uses Just 1/15 Teaspoon of Water
▼ Summary
– OpenAI CEO Sam Altman stated that an average ChatGPT query uses about 0.000085 gallons of water, roughly one-fifteenth of a teaspoon.
– Altman also noted that a ChatGPT query consumes about 0.34 watt-hours of energy, comparable to an oven running for just over a second.
– He predicts that the cost of AI intelligence will eventually align closely with the cost of electricity.
– AI companies face scrutiny over energy costs, with researchers forecasting AI could surpass Bitcoin mining in power consumption by year-end.
– A Washington Post study found that a 100-word AI-generated email required over one bottle of water, with usage varying by datacenter location.
The environmental impact of AI tools like ChatGPT has become a growing concern, with water consumption emerging as a key metric in sustainability discussions. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman recently revealed that a single ChatGPT query uses approximately 0.000085 gallons of water, equivalent to roughly one-fifteenth of a teaspoon. This detail was shared in a broader analysis of AI’s future implications, highlighting both energy and resource efficiency.
Altman compared the energy consumption of AI queries to everyday appliances, noting that the average ChatGPT request consumes about 0.34 watt-hours. To put that in perspective, it’s similar to the energy an oven uses in just over a second or a high-efficiency lightbulb burns through in a couple of minutes. He emphasized that as technology advances, the cost of intelligence should eventually align closely with the cost of electricity, suggesting long-term efficiency improvements.
The disclosure comes amid increasing scrutiny of AI’s environmental footprint. Earlier this year, researchers warned that AI systems could surpass Bitcoin mining in energy demand by the end of 2024. A separate investigation by The Washington Post found that generating a 100-word email using GPT-4 required water equivalent to slightly more than one standard bottle. The study also noted that water usage varies significantly based on data center locations, with climate and cooling infrastructure playing major roles.
While Altman’s figures provide insight into AI’s resource demands, questions remain about how these metrics were calculated. OpenAI has yet to clarify the methodology behind the water and energy estimates, leaving room for further analysis as the industry seeks sustainable solutions.
(Source: The Verge)
