Considering Generative AI’s Environmental Impact

January 17, 2025

Use of generative artificial intelligence (Gen-AI) is expanding rapidly, and as with many large-scale technology-induced shifts, its benefits and high demand are taking center stage. While the perceived advantages are vast, neglecting to consider the negative effects alongside these potential benefits can lead to uncontrolled growth with lasting consequences on the environment. The extensive amounts of electricity and water necessary to develop, train, and sustain generative AI technology have serious environmental sustainability implications, such as increased carbon emissions and strain on water systems. To tackle this issue, Elsa A. Olivetti, MIT professor and the lead of the MIT Climate Project’s Decarbonization Mission, and Noman Bashir, MCSC Computing and Climate Impact Fellow and postdoc in the Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory (CSAIL), are studying the rapid growth of generative AI to underscore the importance of assessing the environmental impacts of new technologies. Alongside other MIT colleagues, Olivetti and Bashir co-authored a 2024 paper, “The Climate and Sustainability Implications of Generative AI” addressing the necessity of climate-conscious AI development. The team argues for a multifaceted approach to AI innovations that considers economic, societal, and environmental factors, placing long-term sustainability at the forefront.