{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://www.timecybermedia.com/Pages/technology/AI & Sustainability/humans-use-a-lot-of-energy-too-openais-sam-altman-on-ai-data-centre-resource-use"},"headline":"‘Humans Use a Lot of Energy Too’: OpenAI’s Sam Altman on AI, Data Centre Resource Use","description":"Sam Altman defended the energy and water consumption of artificial intelligence systems, arguing that AI infrastructure should be viewed in the broader context of human energy use and technological progress.","image":["https://res.cloudinary.com/donttjaap/image/upload/v1771910765/primetime_news/fjaptt3effjcwfaivcei.jpg"],"datePublished":"2026-02-24T05:26:05.585Z","dateModified":"2026-02-24T05:26:05.585Z","author":{"@type":"Person","name":"Riddhima Vashisht","url":"https://www.timecybermedia.com"},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Time Cyber Media","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https://www.timecybermedia.com/logo.png"}},"articleSection":"technology","articleBody":"

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has responded to mounting concerns about the environmental impact of artificial intelligence, particularly the energy and water demands of large-scale data centres.

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Energy Use in Perspective

Altman argued that “humans use a lot of energy too,” suggesting that AI systems should not be singled out without comparing their consumption to other industries and everyday activities. He framed AI as a productivity-enhancing technology that could ultimately generate efficiencies across sectors.

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Data Centre Concerns

Critics have raised alarms about the electricity required to train and run large language models, as well as the water used for cooling servers in certain regions. Environmental researchers say transparency around resource usage is essential as AI adoption expands globally.

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Balancing Growth and Sustainability

Altman indicated that the AI industry is working toward more energy-efficient hardware and increased reliance on renewable power sources. He emphasised that technological advancement historically comes with resource demands but often leads to broader societal benefits.

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The debate underscores a growing policy challenge: how to scale AI innovation while addressing sustainability and climate considerations.