Data center. Are environmental costs really valuable in some virus posts? Credit: Wikipedia
You’ve probably found it by now – pop up in your feed as a small action figure, boxed like a toy, surrounded by quirky little props. It’s all a bit fun on the surface, but some people are warning about what’s going on behind the scenes.
Creating images generated by these AIs is not as harmless as they look. Tools like ChatGpt, Midjourney, and Copilot require huge data centers to work. We’re talking about buildings stuffed with servers running non-stop. And all of that technology requires a serious amount of electricity and water to keep it cool and operational.
In fact, some experts believe that the energy used by the AI industry could soon rival that of a nation-wide energy, such as the Netherlands. In addition, many of these systems rely on water-based cooling, which is being used and lost, in the process of preventing the server from overheating.
While some tech companies are looking at greener alternatives, the widespread demand for AI content is growing rapidly. And many people are asking about it: Are environmental costs really worth it in some viral posts?
“Every time we create one of these AI memes in our home, we joke that the tree is going to die,” said Lance Ulanoff, editor of Techradar. “Of course, that’s an exaggeration, but it’s not without truth.”
Every time we use AI tools, we take advantage of the large web of technology behind the scenes.
AI tools like ChatGPT rely on huge data centers packed with thousands of servers. These machines get very hot and need a proper cooling system to make things run smoothly.
One common method is water-based cooling where the water passes through the tower, absorbing and evaporating the heat from the server. It works well, but uses an incredible amount of water. In fact, tools like ChatGpt can use about 0.5 liters of water for every 5-50 interactions.
“People don’t understand how much water is used to generate a single AI image,” said Artificial Intelligence expert Alvaro Pena.
He also points out that it’s not just the cooling we should think about. “There are other stages that also require water, such as chip manufacturing and the energy production needed to run these systems, but they rarely count in the overall footprint.”
So, while asking AI to draw you as a cartoon or write an email, it all fits not only with data but also with water.
But that’s not the only thing that raises your eyebrows. To train these AI systems, companies often draw huge amounts of content from the internet, including copyrighted work, but it is not always clear whether the original creator gave or paid for it. Next is the bias issue. These tools learn from what’s there online, allowing you to repeat stereotypes and spread dangerous information without anyone realizing it.
Still, this trend shows no signs of slowing down. People want to upload selfies, write down some instructions, star in as a superhero, and print roles on the box. The final result? Packaged like the figures of Barbie and Action Man, your mini versions are ready to be shared online.
That’s not necessarily accurate. Many users share hilarious results that dolls don’t look like them. But the novelty is enough for people to come back, and the brand is catching up too. Everyone from beauty companies to Royal Mail has jumped into the act.
“Just because something is trending doesn’t mean that we all need to do it,” says one activist. “We should be more critical of how we use technology, especially when the Earth pays prices.”
Trends go back and forth, but environmental damage remains. So before turning yourself into a doll, it may be worth thinking about whether instantaneous enjoyment is worth the long-term cost.
