Casey Crownhart @caseycrownhart.bsky.social · 11/06/2025Sam Altman says an average query to ChatGPT uses about 0.34 watt hours of electricity in a new blog post. But I have some questions about this number (short 🧵) #energysky 12310
Casey Crownhart @caseycrownhart.bsky.social · 11/06/2025I just spent six months working with @jamesmodonnell.bsky.social to understand the energy demands of AI. We found that, for open-source models, the type of query, and where it is processed, can dramatically affect its energy use and carbon output. 252
friendintally.bsky.social @friendintally.bsky.social · 15/07/2025Perhaps data centers should be built in the ocean with tidal/wave generators for power, & where the excess heat can distill potable water? Also, all AI systems need to square up on science. No vaccine skepticism, no denial of or hedging about #LongCovid. 000
Casey Crownhart @caseycrownhart.bsky.social · 11/06/2025I'll note that the estimate Sam Altman quotes falls between our estimates for the smallest and largest text models that we looked at. (For more, our full story is here: www.technologyreview.com/2025/05/20/1...)technologyreview.comWe did the math on AI’s energy footprint. Here’s the story you haven’t heard.The emissions from individual AI text, image, and video queries seem small—until you add up what the industry isn’t tracking and consider where it’s heading next. 184
