A new UNESCO study unveiled at the AI for Good Global Summit in Geneva has revealed that the soaring energy demands of artificial intelligence could be drastically reduced—simply by using shorter prompts and smaller, more efficient models.
Released on Tuesday, the report emphasizes that concise user queries and specialised lightweight AI systems can cut electricity consumption by up to 90 percent without compromising the quality of responses.
The findings arrive amid growing environmental concerns surrounding generative AI platforms like OpenAI’s ChatGPT, Google’s Gemini, and Microsoft’s Copilot, all of which rely on significant computing power to function.
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman recently disclosed that each ChatGPT prompt consumes approximately 0.34 watt-hours of electricity—between 10 and 70 times more than a standard Google search. With over a billion prompts processed daily, ChatGPT alone uses around 310 gigawatt-hours annually—equivalent to the yearly electricity consumption of three million Ethiopians, the report noted.
A Growing Environmental Burden
UNESCO warned that the escalating energy demands of AI are placing mounting pressure on global power systems, water supplies, and mineral resources. The report noted that energy use from generative AI is currently doubling every 100 days.
However, the study offers a simple solution: shorten prompts and use domain-specific AI models that don’t require scanning vast datasets. Tests showed that cutting a prompt from 300 to 150 words and switching to a smaller, task-focused model slashed energy consumption by nearly 90 percent—without degrading performance.
Industry Response: Leaner, Greener AI Models
Major tech firms appear to be responding to the environmental challenge.
- Google has introduced its compact model Gemma
- Microsoft launched the energy-efficient Phi-3 series
- OpenAI released GPT-4o mini
- France’s Mistral AI debuted its slimmed-down Ministral
These models are designed to perform specific tasks efficiently, requiring far less computational power and delivering faster results with a reduced environmental footprint.
A Call for Responsible AI Use
UNESCO urged governments, tech developers, and users to take into account the ecological costs of AI as it becomes embedded in everyday tools — from search engines and chatbots to content creation software.
“With thoughtful design and mindful use, AI can be a powerful ally for sustainable development — but only if its growing footprint is responsibly managed,” the report concluded.
