Google has made a landmark move by releasing energy and water consumption estimates for its Gemini AI applications, becoming the first major tech company to provide such data. According to Google’s findings, each Gemini text prompt consumes an average of 0.24 watt-hours (Wh), emits 0.03 grams of CO2 equivalent (gCO2e), and uses 0.26 milliliters of water, a footprint significantly lower than public estimates. This transparency comes amidst increasing scrutiny over AI’s environmental impact as demand for AI technology surges. Google’s methodology accounts for various factors often overlooked in industry calculations, such as resource use during idle times and cooling systems in data centers. Despite these higher estimates, Google insists that the actual energy and emissions are less than widely feared. The report aims to encourage other tech companies to disclose similar data, promoting industry-wide standards for AI’s sustainability. Ultimately, better metrics could lead to responsible AI development mindful of environmental concerns.
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