Artificial intelligence is transforming industries everywhere—redefining the way we work. To us, each interaction feels weightless. But to the planet, the burden is heavy—measured in the massive energy and water required to power AI systems behind the scenes.
When training emissions are averaged across total use, each ChatGPT prompt accounts for about 4.32 grams of CO₂. That may not sound like much—until you consider that a standard Google search emits about 0.2 grams. When scaled to billions of queries each day, that small gap grows into an enormous impact. ChatGPT alone emits approximately 10,800 metric tons of CO₂ from an estimated 2.5 billion daily queries. With the average passenger vehicle emitting about 400 grams of CO₂ per mile, that’s equivalent to driving around Earth’s equator more than 1,000 times.
But that’s only part of the picture. AI depends on enormous data centers—warehouses filled with thousands of servers running around the clock. According to the MIT Energy Initiative, a single one can consume as much electricity as 50,000 homes, and by 2030, global consumption could climb so high that data centers alone rival the power needs of nations.
The environmental burden extends beyond electricity. Cooling systems use massive amounts of water: as much as 25.5 million liters annually for a single U.S. facility. That’s the daily water supply for over 300,000 people.
The conversation about AI’s carbon footprint is only beginning, but it’s clear that every campaign powered by AI carries an environmental price. For brands and agencies alike, recognizing the impact is the first step toward reducing our own.
At 116 & West, we see AI as both a remarkable opportunity and a responsibility. We’re working to integrate climate-conscious initiatives into every stage of our AI use and help set a higher standard for sustainable advertising. Keep an eye out for an upcoming blog, where we’ll share how 116 & West plans to offset the carbon footprint of our AI use.
