Link: Google says a typical AI text prompt only uses 5 drops of water — experts say that’s misleading

Google's new study claims its Gemini AI assistant uses minimal water and energy, equating its usage with negligible environmental impact. However, experts argue that these findings are misleading due to omitted data points.

Despite Google's report of notable efficiency improvements, critics highlight the exclusion of indirect water usage and broader energy impacts from the data centers powering AI.

According to a professor who previously worked with Google, the company's focus on median usage figures overlooks larger consumption patterns, potentially skewing the perceived environmental toll.

Experts suggest that Google's approach to measuring carbon emissions fails to account for the actual energy mix impacting local environments, which could provide a more comprehensive view of its carbon footprint.

Environmental specialists are concerned that despite efficiency gains, overall demand for resources may be increasing, an effect known as the Jevons paradox. This could mean that technological advancements in AI might still lead to greater overall resource consumption and pollution.

A call for transparency and adherence to more robust environmental standards comes as Google plans further improvements in energy and emissions metrics concerning AI operations.

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