tech
December 18, 2025
AI boom has caused same CO2 emissions in 2025 as New York City, report claims
Study author says tech companies are reaping benefits of artificial intelligence age but society is left to pay cost
TL;DR
- AI use in 2025 reportedly released as much CO2 as New York City.
- AI-related water use in 2025 is estimated to exceed global bottled-water demand.
- Tech companies are reaping AI benefits while society pays the environmental costs.
- Greenhouse gas emissions from AI use are estimated to be over 8% of global aviation emissions.
- Calls are being made for tech companies to be more transparent about their climate impact.
- Datacentre electricity consumption is expected to more than double by 2030.
- US leads datacentre electricity consumption, followed by China and Europe.
- Concerns exist about the construction of diesel generator farms for backup power in India due to grid unreliability.
- Google reported a reduction in datacentre emissions but noted increasing complexity in achieving climate goals due to slower deployment of carbon-free energy.
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