Why Awareness Matters in a Digital World

Artificial intelligence is everywhere, from the apps we use daily to the tools powering entire industries. Every time we interact with AI, we're making choices that have real-world effects, even if we can’t see them. This article is about awareness: understanding how our everyday use of AI contributes to energy consumption and why that matters. Over half of UK users know about AI’s environmental impact, and one in ten would pay more for greener AI.

By being mindful of our digital impact, we can make smarter, more responsible choices, ensuring that innovation benefits both us and the world around us.

Everytime we use AI, we're using everyday resources, even if we can't see them, make it count!

The Hidden Cost of Convenience

AI is transforming the way we live and work. From smart assistants to tools that generate art and music, the possibilities seem endless. These technologies bring real benefits, including improved efficiency, greater creativity, and solutions to complex problems.

But every digital action, no matter how small, has a ripple effect, and it's easy to forget that generating an image, asking a question, or automating a task with AI consumes energy. The electricity behind our devices and the massive data centres powering AI models is largely invisible, but the environmental impact is very real.

Using energy wisely isn’t about limiting progress; it’s about ensuring our innovations are as efficient behind the scenes as they are impressive on the surface.

What Does AI Energy Use Really Look Like?

Let’s put things in perspective:

• One AI chat prompt (e.g. asking ChatGPT a question) can use about as much electricity as leaving a desk lamp on for 30 minutes.

• Generating an image might use the same electricity as leaving a lamp on for up to two hours, depending on the model and settings.

Over the course of a year, the world's AI activity can consume as much electricity as some small countries. The data centres that make all this possible now use more electricity than many major cities.

Did you know? Generating 100 AI images can use as much energy as running a laptop for a full workday. Be intentional with your prompts and outputs, every request counts!

• Creating a one-minute AI-generated video can use as much electricity as fully charging your smartphone.

The longer or more complex the video, the more energy it takes, sometimes as much as charging several phones.

• Training a large AI model can consume as much electricity as a household uses in several months.

While most users won't be training models themselves, it's a reminder that the tools we use have a significant footprint long before they reach our screens.

And that’s just individual usage. Now imagine this activity on a global scale, there are millions of prompts, image generations, and automated tasks each day. Data centres supporting this now consume more electricity than many major cities. Over the course of a year, AI energy usage can rival that of some small countries.

This isn’t a warning against AI, it’s a reminder to use it with intention. Just as we’ve learnt to turn off lights or reduce water use, we should bring that same energy-conscious mindset into our digital behaviours.

How to Use AI More Responsibly

The key is to be intentional and thoughtful in how we use AI. Use AI when it truly adds value, not just out of habit or curiosity. The clearer your request or prompt, the less trial and error is needed—and the less energy is wasted. If you or your team have already created something useful with AI, share and reuse it instead of starting from scratch each time.

Practical Tips to Reduce AI’s Energy Footprint

• Optimise and be concise with your prompts: Be as clear and specific as possible when interacting with AI tools, and avoid unnecessary words like "please" or "thank you". Well-crafted, concise prompts reduce the need for multiple attempts and unnecessary processing, saving both time and energy.

• Batch your requests: If you need several outputs, try to request them together rather than one at a time. This can help reduce repeated processing and save energy.

• Use smaller models when possible: Not every task requires the most powerful AI model. For simple tasks, choose lighter, more efficient models that use less energy.

• Schedule heavy tasks during off-peak hours: If you have control over when large AI jobs run, consider scheduling them during times when energy demand is lower.

• Regularly review your AI usage: Take time to assess whether each AI-driven process or feature is still necessary and efficient. Remove or optimise anything that no longer adds value.

• Disable AI summaries when not needed: If your search engine or platform offers an option to turn off AI-generated summaries or overviews, consider disabling it when you just need a simple list of results. This can help reduce unnecessary processing and save energy.

For organisations

• Create AI usage guidelines: Outline when to use AI, how to write effective prompts, and what efficiency looks like.

• Offer team training: Build awareness and confidence in using AI responsibly.

• Audit digital tools: Regularly assess whether your tools are energy-efficient and fit-for-purpose.

By embedding responsible AI practices into workplace culture, businesses can lower their digital carbon footprints while still embracing innovation.

Did you know? Adding "please" and "thank-you" to your AI prompts feels polite, but at a global scale. These extra words add up to millions of pounds in energy costs and measurable environmental impact. AI doesn't need courtesy, being more concise is more efficent for both you and the planet.

Final Thoughts on a Smarter Way Forward

Every digital action, no matter how small, has a ripple effect. By being aware of the energy behind our AI interactions and making thoughtful choices, like optimising prompts, disabling unnecessary features, and using resources wisely, we can all contribute to a more sustainable digital future. 

The power to make a difference is in our hands: let's use AI in ways that are not just smart, but also responsible and kind to our planet.