As Google rapidly integrates artificial intelligence (AI) into its core products, it faces a significant rise in greenhouse gas emissions. The tech giant’s annual environment report reveals a 48% increase in emissions since 2019, primarily due to the energy-intensive data centers required to support its AI tools.

AI systems demand vast computing power, necessitating extensive data centers filled with powerful equipment that consume significant energy and produce considerable heat. This increased energy consumption, coupled with supply chain emissions, has been a key driver of Google’s rising carbon footprint.

Google’s ambitious goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2030 is now under scrutiny. The company acknowledges the complexities and uncertainties of predicting AI’s future environmental impact. Despite once promoting the slogan “don’t be evil,” Google’s sustainability efforts are now more challenging due to the AI-related surge in energy use.

Like its tech rivals, Google is heavily investing in AI, seen as a revolutionary force in technology poised to transform various aspects of life. The company’s Gemini generative AI technology has been integrated into key products like Search and Google Assistant, reinforcing its commitment to being an “AI-first company,” as stated by CEO Sundar Pichai.

However, this AI integration comes with significant environmental costs. Data centers powering AI are power-hungry, and the scale of their energy consumption is striking. The International Energy Agency reports that a single Google search requires 0.3 watt-hours of electricity, whereas a ChatGPT request consumes about 2.9 watt-hours. A study by Dutch researcher Alex de Vries in October estimated that, in a worst-case scenario, Google’s AI systems could eventually use as much electricity as Ireland annually if AI adoption continues at its current pace.

Google’s report highlights the challenge of reducing emissions amidst increasing energy demands from AI and the expansion of technical infrastructure. The company admits that its data center electricity consumption is growing faster than its ability to bring carbon-free energy sources online. Google expects its total greenhouse gas emissions to rise before falling, as it invests in clean energy solutions like wind and geothermal power.

Another sustainability challenge is the significant water usage required to cool data centers and prevent overheating. Google aims to replenish 120% of the freshwater it consumes in its offices and data centers by 2030. In 2022, the company managed to replenish just 18% of this water, though this was a substantial improvement from 6% in the previous year.

Despite these challenges, Google is exploring ways to leverage AI in the fight against climate change. A 2019 Google DeepMind project, for example, trained an AI model on weather forecasts and historical wind turbine data to predict wind power availability, enhancing the value of this renewable energy source for wind farmers. Additionally, Google Maps uses AI to suggest more fuel-efficient driving routes.

“We know that scaling AI and using it to accelerate climate action is just as crucial as addressing the environmental impact associated with it,” Google stated in its report. The company continues to strive for a balance between advancing AI technology and mitigating its environmental impact.