ChatGPT

by dorota.bicarova - 14. December 202425. January 2025

#06 How to use ChatGPT sustainably? Do we need to really use it everytime?

Chatgpt has become a major help to students over the past two years. This technology invention has completely changed the way information searching is done. It often helps us and saves time in various assignments. But have think about the question if we could find the answer ourselves, was it necessary to use chatgpt at any cost?

Energy usage during operation of ChatGPT

Inference Costs: Each time a user interacts with ChatGPT, the AI model must process the prompt and generate a response. This is called “inference” and requires computational power proportional to the complexity of the query and the response length.

Aggregate Usage: With millions of users globally, the cumulative energy required to serve these queries daily adds up significantly, especially when users submit unnecessary or overly frequent prompts.

ChatGPT User Growth Timeline (Release to May 2024)

After its launch, ChatGPT set a world record as the fastest platform to reach 1 million users, achieving this milestone in less than five days. This unprecedented growth was fueled by the recent hype surrounding AI and the ease of accessing ChatGPT for everyday tasks. Such rapid adoption highlights both its potential and the need to use it wisely [1].

https://wisernotify.com/blog/chatgpt-users/

ChatGPT User Growth Milestones

https://wisernotify.com/blog/chatgpt-users/

ChatGPT By Age: Usage Across Generations

https://wisernotify.com/blog/chatgpt-users/

How Are People Using ChatGPT?

There are various ways in which chatgpt is proving crucial. It can be an ideal tool for performing various tasks. Some of the ways people are using chatgpt are:

Students and ChatGPT

https://wisernotify.com/blog/chatgpt-users/

Missing statistics and data

There is no information on OpenAI’s official website about ChatGPT’s energy consumption or what steps the company would like to take to improve its impact on energy consumption. “According to ChatGTP, OpenAI is committed to reducing its carbon footprint and promoting sustainability initiatives, such as investing in renewable energy sources (produced, for example, through solar panels or wind turbines), improving its data centres and energy efficiency, and reducing waste and water use [2].” However, there is no data on what ChatGPT does to improve its environmental and social impact.

How to Use ChatGPT Sustainably

Here are a few principles to ensure we use ChatGPT thoughtfully:

Pause Before Prompting: Ask yourself if you really need ChatGPT for a particular task. Could you find the answer yourself through research, reflection, or discussion? Reserve ChatGPT for questions that require nuanced insights or efficiency.

Set Clear Goals: Define what you want to achieve before using ChatGPT. Vague prompts can lead to multiple iterations, increasing both time spent and energy use.

Use for Learning, Not Substitution: Use ChatGPT as a complementary learning tool rather than a replacement. For example, if you’re stuck on a problem, ask for guidance rather than a direct solution. This encourages you to engage with the material.

Collaborate With Others: Instead of immediately consulting AI, consider brainstorming with peers or mentors. Human collaboration not only strengthens understanding but also fosters interpersonal skills.

Limit Usage: Designate specific times or purposes for using ChatGPT, such as for brainstorming or refining ideas, to avoid habitual overuse.

Final Thoughts

As we use AI tools like ChatGPT more often, it’s important to build healthy habits. ChatGPT should help us, not replace our own thinking. By setting limits and using it responsibly, we can make the most of its benefits while continuing to grow as independent thinkers. Next time you’re about to type a question, stop and ask: Can I figure this out myself? If the answer is yes, give it a try. You might be surprised by how much you already know.

Resources:

[1] https://wisernotify.com/blog/chatgpt-users/

[2] https://zeroco2.eco/en/magazine/curiosities/chatgpt-sutainability/

by dorota.bicarova - 19. November 202425. January 2025

#02 Key factors influencing the energy and environmental impact of digitalisation.

1. Growth of data centers and cloud computing

Data centers are the base of the internet, powering everything from streaming platforms like Netflix to cloud services like Google Drive. These facilities require immense amounts of energy to store, process, and transmit data. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), data centers account for 1% of global electricity demand, a figure expected to grow with the rise of cloud computing.

Events like the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated cloud adoption, as companies and individuals transitioned to remote work, leading to an explosion in virtual meetings, file sharing, and cloud storage. For example, Microsoft reported a 775% increase in demand for cloud services in some regions during 2020. While major providers like Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Google are investing heavily in renewable energy, the rapid growth of cloud usage continues to challenge sustainability efforts.

https://engineering.fb.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/data-center-shot.jpg

2. Video streaming boom

The increase in video streaming has become one of the largest contributors to online energy consumption. Services like Netflix, YouTube, and TikTok account for over 60% of internet traffic worldwide.

The release of high-profile events—such as Netflix’s “Squid Game” debut in 2021—demonstrates the scale of the issue. During its first four weeks, the series was streamed for 1.65 billion hours, consuming massive amounts of energy in data processing and transmission. These statistics underline the need for platforms to optimize streaming technologies and encourage users to adopt sustainable viewing habits, such as lowering video resolution where possible.

https://www.marca.com/en/lifestyle/tv-shows/2021/10/01/6157178546163f62728b45ae.html

3. Expansion of internet-connected devices (IoT)

The rise of Internet of Things (IoT) devices is a big deal. From smart speakers like Amazon Alexa to fitness trackers and smart thermostats, these gadgets are everywhere. By 2025, there could be 75 billion IoT devices worldwide, a massive jump from just 8 billion in 2017.

This boom in connected devices means more electricity use and more e-waste. Each device needs rare earth metals, complex manufacturing, and constant power, all adding to the carbon footprint of our digital world. Plus, the rollout of 5G to keep these devices running smoothly has pushed energy demands even higher with the need for more infrastructure.

4. Cryptocurrency mining

Cryptocurrency mining, particularly Bitcoin, is one of the most energy-intensive activities in the digital space. Bitcoin mining alone consumes more electricity annually than entire countries like Argentina, with estimates placing its energy usage at 121.36 terawatt-hours (TWh). Fun fact – The Eiffel Tower uses about 7.8 GWh annually to light up and operate. With 121.36 TWh , you could power the Eiffel Tower for over 15,500 years.

https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-56215787

5. AI and ChatGPT

AI systems like ChatGPT have a significant environmental footprint, driven by their high energy consumption. Each ChatGPT request uses about 2.9 watt-hours of electricity, which is ten times the energy required for a Google search (0.3 watt-hours). With 100 million weekly users sending around 15 prompts each, ChatGPT’s yearly energy use totals approximately 226.82 million watt-hours—enough to charge over 3 million electric vehicles or meet the energy needs of several small countries. Developing these AI models is also resource-intensive, training GPT-4 consumed more than 62 million kilowatt-hours, costing $8.2 million in electricity alone. These figures highlight the need for innovation in energy-efficient AI systems and a shift toward renewable energy sources. Balancing the rapid advancement of AI with environmental sustainability is becoming increasingly important.