OpenAI’s CEO, Sam Altman, defended the energy requirements of artificial intelligence during an interview at the India AI Impact summit on Friday, likening AI’s energy consumption to that of humans. While acknowledging the concerns regarding AI’s energy usage, Altman emphasized the need for a shift towards renewable energy sources like nuclear, wind, and solar.
Addressing former Microsoft founder Bill Gates’ comparison between the energy efficiency of the human brain and current AI models, Altman responded by highlighting the extensive energy and time associated with human learning. “It takes like 20 years of life, and all the food you eat before that time, before you get smart,” he noted, framing the conversation around the broader context of energy consumption.
The conversation surrounding AI’s energy impact is intensified by reports detailing the significant demands of AI data centers. For instance, an anticipated $800 million Meta AI data center in Cheyenne, Wyoming, is projected to consume more electricity than all homes in the state combined. These centers also require vast amounts of water—potentially up to five million gallons daily—to cool servers, equivalent to the needs of a city of approximately 50,000 people. In reaction to concerns about water usage, Altman dismissed claims that ChatGPT uses excessive water as “completely untrue, totally insane.”
Altman’s comments prompted further discussions among tech leaders, including Zoho Corporation’s co-founder Sridhar Vembu, who voiced his apprehensions on social media. Vembu expressed his desire for technology not to overshadow human experience, stating, “I do not want to see a world where we equate a piece of technology to a human being.”
The growing skepticism surrounding AI mirrors sentiments from environmental activists and community residents, who are increasingly resisting the establishment of new data centers across the U.S. Recently, the Climate Revolution Action Network, a grassroots organization focused on climate justice, gained attention for halting plans for a small data center in New Brunswick, New Jersey.
As the dialogue around AI’s energy consumption continues, the balance between technological advancement and environmental sustainability remains a pressing concern, inspiring advocates and technologists alike to seek solutions that honor both progress and ecological responsibility.