AI is good for efficiency, but is it sustainable?

AI is good for efficiency, but is it sustainable?

Think asking ChatGPT a question is low-key harmless? Nope, it just burned more energy than your all-night Netflix binge.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is changing the world around us. It can help you with movie recommendations or also give you ideas for what to prepare for dinner. But AI needs energy. A lot of it.

What’s really powering AI?

Every AI interaction runs through giant computer systems called data centres. These centres work 24/7 and need huge amounts of electricity and water to run and stay cool. Most of that energy still comes from non-renewable sources like coal, gas and oil.

Experts say AI already uses around 2% of the world’s total energy. By 2027, it could consume 1.7 trillion gallons of water each year.

That’s a high price to pay for convenience.

So, should we stop using AI?

Not at all. AI is useful and here to stay, especially in education, health care and science. The real question is: how can we power AI more sustainably?

What our experts have to say.

“AI is developing fast, but each new AI module that is created consumes an extreme amount of energy, much of which is still powered by fossil fuels. To reduce this impact, we need to turn to renewable energy sources. One effective way to do this is by relocating data centres to regions where renewable energy can be more easily harnessed. This shift would significantly reduce the carbon footprint of AI and support more sustainable use of these technologies.” — Dr Matthew Blackett, Curriculum Lead Environment and Energy (including Renewables), School of the Environment

“Every time someone types something into an AI tool, and every response that comes back, energy is used. Over 70% of the world’s energy still comes from dirty sources, so even small messages add up. Try to keep your prompts short; saving words helps save energy.” — Dr Rashid Ali, Assistant Professor Academic, College of Engineering, Environment and Science

What we’re doing at Coventry University

Our students and researchers are already exploring how to make AI smarter, greener and more ethical.
Coventry University is part of major national projects too:

• We’re proud members of the Turing University Network, helping grow the UK’s expertise in data science and AI.
• Partnered with the STFC Hartree Centre to launch the Digital & AI Skills Network.
• Our Professor James Brusey, was recently named an independent scientific advisor to the Alan Turing Institute.
• We’ve also hosted some brilliant events, where our researchers and industry leaders come together to talk about AI and its role in the future of work, society and sustainability. Events like Do you know your AI from your Generative AI? are helping people understand what AI really is, what it can do and how we can use it wisely.

“Our computer scientists, data scientists and AI researchers have a great deal to offer in several areas of AI, including ethical and inclusive AI, and whole-system, human-centric AI design. I look forward to seeing both the Coventry University AI community and the network flourishing.” — Dr Elena Gaura, Associate Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research) (Academic Engagement), Coventry University

Want to be part of the solution?

Our students are already creating tech for good. You can be part of it. Explore degrees that can help you make a difference:

• Civil and Environmental Engineering BEng (Hons) or Energy Transition Management MSc – if you want to research clean energy for AI.
• Sustainability and Environmental Management MSc – for big-picture thinkers.
• Artificial Intelligence BSc (Hons) top-up or Computer Science with Artificial Intelligence MSci/BSc (Hons) or Data Science MSci/BSc (Hons) – for those who want to build and shape the future.

Can one person make a difference?

Yes. You don’t need to stop using AI. Just use it mindfully.

Try:

• writing shorter prompts
• switching off AI tools when not in use
• starting conversations about greener tech
• learning more about sustainability (we’ll help).

Typing "Explain climate change for a 10-year-old" uses less energy than "Can you tell me everything about climate change, and include laws, charts and do it in a funny way?"

Small changes, big difference.

Why what you do matters

AI is powerful, but we need to build it responsibly. That means clean energy, smarter systems and fresh thinking from future engineers, coders and leaders like you.

Coventry University has 5 QS Stars for Research, and we’re leading the way in sustainable innovation in labs, lecture halls and student projects. The solutions aren’t all in the future. They’re already happening in research labs, lecture halls and even student projects at Coventry University. And you can be part of it.

Your ideas, your choices, your future

If you are curious, creative or passionate about making a difference, there’s space for you. Whether you choose to study green tech, ask sharper questions or simply start a discussion with your peers, every action counts.

• Be curious: ask how your favourite tech works behind the scenes.
• Get involved: join Green Week or a student sustainability group.
• Think ahead: the way we build today shapes the world we live in tomorrow.

Think you can build a greener AI future? We think so too. Explore courses and research opportunities, chat with current students or get involved in a sustainability project that matters.

Next time you ask AI a question, ask yourself one too: what kind of future do I want to help create?