In a first, Google has released data on how much energy an AI prompt uses

Google's new report reveals each Gemini text prompt uses 0.24 watt-hours of electricity—equivalent to running a microwave for one second—along with 0.03 grams of CO2 emissions and 0.26 milliliters of water. This unprecedented transparency breaks down energy usage across AI chips (58%), supporting hardware (25%), backup equipment (10%), and data center overhead (8%), while noting that energy consumption has decreased 33 times since last year.