Google AI Prompts Become Energy Efficient, Consuming Minimal Resources

Aug 22, 2025
MIT Technology Review
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Summary

Google announces its AI prompts now consume minimal energy, with the median prompt using just 0.24 watt-hours of electricity, producing 0.03 grams of carbon dioxide emissions, and consuming 0.26 milliliters of water, a 33-fold reduction in energy use compared to a year ago.

Key Points

  • Google releases data showing the median AI prompt consumes 0.24 watt-hours of electricity, equivalent to running a microwave for one second
  • Google estimates the median prompt produces 0.03 grams of carbon dioxide emissions and consumes 0.26 milliliters of water
  • The energy used per prompt has fallen dramatically, with the median prompt using 33 times less energy in May 2025 than in May 2024

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