Google’s latest environmental report reveals a significant 48% increase in greenhouse gas emissions in 2023 compared to 2019. The tech giant attributes this rise to the growing energy demands of its data centers, driven by the explosive growth of artificial intelligence (AI).
AI-powered services require significantly more computing power and electricity than standard online activities, raising concerns about the environmental impact of AI technology. Google’s target is to achieve net-zero emissions by 2030, but the company acknowledges that integrating AI into its products may make this goal challenging. The 2024 Environmental Report states, “Increasing energy demands from the greater intensity of AI compute” is a key factor.
Data centers, which house massive collections of computer servers, are essential for AI operations. According to a recent study, generative AI systems like ChatGPT consume approximately 33 times more energy than machines running task-specific software.
Google’s report highlights significant global disparities in the environmental impacts of its data centers. In Europe and the Americas, most centers source the majority of their energy from carbon-free sources. In contrast, data centers in the Middle East, Asia, and Australia rely more heavily on carbon-based energy. Overall, about two-thirds of Google’s energy comes from carbon-free sources.
The increasing energy and water consumption of AI has prompted a series of warnings, particularly as the sector is expected to grow rapidly. In March, the CEO of the UK’s National Grid predicted a six-fold increase in demand due to AI and quantum computing over the next decade.
Despite these concerns, some industry leaders, like Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates, have downplayed the environmental impact of AI. Speaking in London, Gates suggested that AI would increase electricity demand by only 2% to 6%. He emphasized that AI could also drive more than a 6% reduction in emissions, as reported by the Financial Times.
