A new report from SAS has revealed that the explosive rise of generative AI could severely impact global efforts to reduce carbon emissions. The study, titled “Rethinking Data and AI in the Cloud: How to Move to a Sustainable Future,” outlines the challenges large organizations face as they expand their AI and data usage while striving to cut carbon output.

SAS warns that AI, if left unchecked, could consume as much energy as entire countries. To illustrate the point, the report highlights that if Google were to fully power its search engine using AI, it would require as much electricity as the Republic of Ireland. Experts also predict that by 2027, the AI industry could demand the same energy consumption as the Netherlands, unless growth is controlled.

Jerry Williams, SAS’s chief environmental officer, emphasized that sustainability isn’t just the responsibility of cloud vendors but also of the organizations using cloud services. “The path to greater efficiency lies in optimized cloud and AI platforms, reducing duplication, waste, and energy use,” said Williams.

The report also stresses that cloud computing, despite its efficiencies, remains a significant contributor to carbon emissions. Currently, cloud operations account for between 2.5% and 3.7% of global greenhouse gas emissions, surpassing the emissions of the aviation industry. It calls for organizations to take meaningful action by optimizing their cloud environments and reducing unnecessary workloads to help mitigate this environmental impact.

The adoption of AI offers many benefits, from improved productivity to innovative advancements. However, SAS underscores that if not carefully managed, this rapid expansion could exacerbate environmental challenges, urging businesses to balance AI’s growth with sustainability efforts to avoid accusations of greenwashing.