Google has released a landmark study titled “Measuring the Environmental Impact of Delivering AI at Google Scale”, introducing a first-of-its-kind methodology to track the full environmental footprint of artificial intelligence. Unlike previous estimates, the study measures not just AI accelerators but also CPUs, RAM, idle machines, and data centre overheads like cooling and power distribution, offering a holistic view of AI’s energy, carbon, and water consumption.
One of the most striking findings is how little energy a typical AI interaction consumes. According to Google, the median Gemini text prompt requires just 0.24 watt-hours of power — “less energy than watching TV for nine seconds” — producing only 0.03 grams of CO₂ and consuming 0.26 ml of water, or “about five drops.” The company further revealed that “median Gemini text prompt energy use has decreased 33-fold and carbon emissions 44-fold” over the past year, all while maintaining or even improving response quality.
Google stressed that the initiative is not just about efficiency but also about transparency in AI’s environmental impact. “We hope this methodology can inform broader industry standards and enable consistent, comparable reporting of AI’s environmental impact,” the authors noted, urging rivals such as OpenAI, Anthropic, and Meta to adopt similar frameworks.
However, some experts remain cautious about the broader implications. Axios warned that “efficiency gains at the prompt level may obscure rising overall environmental costs,” pointing to the fact that more users and increasing adoption could still drive up total energy consumption. Meanwhile, The Verge highlighted concerns around market-based accounting, suggesting that emission figures may underestimate real-world impacts.
As AI usage continues to accelerate globally, Google appears eager to shape the conversation on sustainability. By showcasing improvements in energy efficiency and advocating for industry-wide standards, the tech giant wants to position itself as a leader in responsible AI development. At the same time, it acknowledges that the debate is far from settled.
Ultimately, Google argues that everyday use of its Gemini AI assistant may be more environmentally friendly than assumed — insisting that “asking Gemini a question might be greener than you think.”
