Making artificial intelligence (AI) sustainable is important for businesses as AI has become a normal part of life. From AI customer service chatbots at your bank to personalised product suggestions on e-commerce sites to using ChatGPT to help with business communication, with this rapid growth comes valid concerns about AI’s sustainability and environmental footprint.

The use of AI is growing rapidly. According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), in March 2025, more than one in six (18%) businesses reported that they are currently using some form of artificial intelligence (AI) technology. This is up 8% percentage points since September 2023; for businesses with 250 employees or more, this increased to 31%, up 13% compared to September 2023.

With the rise of AI comes a significant increase in the demand for AI skills. Job openings that require AI knowledge are increasing four times quicker than job listings overall in the UK. Employers are willing to pay a 14% premium for candidates with AI abilities.

AI’s environmental and ethical challenges

AI is very energy-intensive compared to traditional computing.

  • Using ChatGPT-3 requires 10 times more energy than doing a Google search
  • Training ChatGPT-4 used an estimated 50 times more energy than training ChatGPT-3

As AI scales up, it requires a massive expansion of data centres, which have a sizable environmental impact.

McKinsey estimates that data centres use about 1% of global electricity, a share expected to increase significantly as AI grows. In the U.S., data centre energy usage could reach 11.7% of total electricity demand by 2030.

Graph showing prediction in energy required by AI

AI’s role in advancing sustainability

Smart energy consumption: AI can help conserve energy. Smart grids powered by AI predict energy demands and adjust supply to avoid inefficiencies.

Efficient waste management: Advanced waste sorting robots powered by machine learning are improving recycling rates by separating materials more accurately than humans.

Sustainable agriculture: AI is helping farmers make data-driven decisions about when to plant, irrigate, and harvest. Using sensors and weather data, AI predicts the best farming strategies, reducing water use and boosting crop yields.

Cleaner manufacturing: Planning maintenance using AI can prevent machines from breaking down and reduce energy waste. AI can also help product designers create products with fewer materials and circular lifecycles.

Steps for sustainable AI use

To guide more responsible use of sustainable AI, the United Nations Environment Programme issued five recommendations in September 2024:

  • Set standard ways to measure AI’s environmental impact
  • Require companies to share the environmental effects of AI products/services
  • Encourage energy-efficient AI, recycling and reuse by tech companies
  • Promote greener data centres via renewable energy and carbon offsets
  • Match AI policies with broader environmental rules

While AI poses real environmental challenges, it has significant potential to help achieve your sustainability goals.

  • Create your AI strategy which includes sustainability principles to follow
  • Choose AI that uses energy-efficient and green data centres and hosting
  • Focus the use of your AI on high-impact areas like automation
  • Audit the carbon footprint of your AI

Conclusion

Working with AI providers to optimise energy and offset emissions is essential, but experts believe AI will be critical in managing greener energy solutions.

For many businesses, the wise use of AI can help optimise energy usage, support the move to a circular economy, and reduce their overall environmental impact.

  • Louise Towler, Kanoppi Founder

    Louise Towler

    Founder of Kanoppi and WordPress agency Indigo Tree, with deep expertise in WordPress websites, technical SEO and commercial performance for clients across the UK.

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