Fast forward three years, and ChatGPT has brought influencers together for an idyllic “Summer Camp” reportedly held in upstate New York.

The event was said to be designed to give creators hands-on experience with the recently launched ChatGPT Work tools, with the aim of helping them better understand practical, everyday uses for the platform before sharing those experiences with their audiences.

However, people were left scratching their heads. And if you’re wondering why, a big part of the conversation comes down to the growing environmental concerns surrounding AI.

AI systems rely on vast data centres that require significant amounts of energy, water, and raw materials to build and operate. The electronic waste produced by these systems can contain hazardous substances including mercury and lead.

Once operational, these large-scale AI infrastructure data centres require huge amounts of electricity and water-intensive cooling systems to keep them running. 

“There is still much we don’t know about the environmental impact of AI, but some of the data we do have is concerning. We need to make sure the net effect of AI on the planet is positive before we deploy the technology at scale,” Golestan (Sally) Radwan, the Chief Digital Officer of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), shared.