Google has, for the first time, shared detailed figures on the resources used by a typical Gemini text prompt and what it costs the planet. Using its data centres as the guage, Google says the median text query uses about 0.24 watt hours of electricity, creates roughly 0.03 grams of CO₂ (equivalent to nine seconds of TV or 1 second in the microwave), and consumes around 0.26 millilitres (5 drops) of pure water.
Google says it’s made efficiency gains in the last 18 months. Comparing May 2024 with May 2025, the energy per median Gemini text prompt fell 33 times and the carbon footprint 44 times, thanks to software tweaks, smarter serving systems and cleaner power. Google stresses the maths covers the whole set-up, including AI chips, host machines, idle capacity and data-centre overheads like cooling.
However, not everyone is fully convinced. Independent experts say the study focuses on text prompts only, so it does not reflect heavier tasks like image or video generation, and they argue Google’s accounting choices may underplay the true impact. In short, the per-prompt numbers may look small for now, but scale matters. Open AI’s CEO Sam Altman says ChatGPT users send more than 2.5 billion prompts every day. That’s one ChatGPT prompt for every three people on Earth.
We can all be more mindful about our AI habits
So, how can you lessen your impact? Treat AI like a helpful assistant, not the project lead. Use it with intent, batch simple look-ups, keep prompts lean when you just need a quick steer, and avoid saying ‘thank you.’ Save the heavier multimedia or long-form requests for cases where they genuinely add value. Most importantly, bring your own judgement and creativity to the final cut. That way, you get better results and avoid unnecessary strain on the planet.
