By Jutta Haider
Publication Date: 2025-12-09 13:54:00
From automatically generated overviews to chatbots in spreadsheets, so-called artificial intelligence is increasingly being integrated into our watches, phones, home assistants and other smart devices.
AI in everything is becoming so commonplace and commonplace that it is easy to overlook. But this normalization has dangerous consequences for the environment, the planet and our response to climate change.
The direct environmental costs of AI are undeniable. Data centers use large amounts of electricity and water, and AI queries use much more energy than a traditional internet search.
The same companies that develop and promote consumer AI – including Microsoft, Google and Amazon – are also using it to help corporations find and produce oil and gas as quickly as possible. But when it comes to the indirect impact of AI, the environment remains a major blind spot for most people.
Our research identifies hidden costs and draws attention to how AI drives hyper-consumption and…
