New technological advancements often make our lives easier, but are we trading ease for our lives? Chat GPT is an AI chatbot designed to answer any question you ask. The app launched in 2022 and became one of the fastest-growing apps, reaching 1 million users within 5 days of its launch. Chat GPT gets an average of 3.66 billion visits per month. Despite its accessibility, its practices can have negative effects, one of which poses a threat to our environment. 

    The data centers used to operate AI tools are mass consumers of energy. Data centers process and store information containing thousands of computers meaning that building them requires around 1,764 lbs of raw materials. When raw materials are extracted from the earth, the loss of biodiversity is detrimental and the machines used are a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions. To put that into perspective, the energy being used per Chat GPT request is 10 times the amount a Google search uses.  

    Little is still known about the total impact AI has on the environment due to companies’ withholding information. What is known is that AI data centers will affect climate change, and not only the health of the earth but also human health. Data centers pollute air, water, and land. While some argue that AI’s long term benefits will eventually outweigh the short-term resource consumption this is wrong because it uses finite resources. 

    There is still a lot to learn about AI and limiting its use before finding a sustainable solution would benefit the environment. As more information about its effects is revealed, people have become more aware. Using more sustainable alternatives before resulting to AI is the best course of action so we can preserve our planet. There are search engines that are sustainable and benefit the environment with each search you make; Google is the best option on school iPads, but if you’re on another device, using search engines like Ecosia and Ekoru can have better effects on the environment. Think before you chat!