Sam Altman would like remind you that humans use a lot of energy, too | TechCrunch

TechCrunch

by Anthony Ha

February 21, 2026

AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary

Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, recently addressed concerns about the environmental impact of AI during a discussion at The Indian Express event in India. He dismissed claims that AI consumes significant amounts of water, particularly highlighting how data centers no longer use evaporative cooling systems, which were a source of excessive water usage in the past. Altman emphasized that while water usage is often exaggerated online, energy consumption remains a legitimate concern due to the massive scale of AI operations globally. Altman acknowledged the need for the world to transition to renewable energy sources like nuclear, wind, and solar power to address AI's energy demands. He pointed out that there are no legal requirements for tech companies to disclose their energy or water usage, making it difficult for scientists to study these impacts independently. This lack of transparency adds complexity to understanding the true environmental footprint of AI technologies. In a broader context, Altman challenged the narrative by comparing the energy required to train AI models with the energy humans consume throughout their lives. He argued that training a human being is equally resource-intensive, as it involves decades of life, education, and societal evolution. While AI's training may seem daunting, Altman suggested that once an AI model is trained, answering questions becomes highly efficient compared to the ongoing energy expenditure required for human learning and development. Altman also criticized discussions that focus solely on the energy used during AI training, rather than comparing it to the energy humans expend over their lifetimes. He implied that such comparisons are often unfair and fail to account for the broader efficiencies of AI systems once they are operational. This perspective shifts the conversation toward evaluating energy efficiency based on the task at hand—answering a single question. Ultimately, Altman's remarks underscore the importance of considering both the environmental challenges posed by AI and the unique resource demands of human development. His comments highlight the need for the tech industry to prioritize sustainable practices while also redefining how we measure and compare energy efficiency between humans and machines. As AI continues to evolve, understanding these dynamics will be crucial for creating technologies that are not only powerful but also environmentally responsible.

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Originally published on TechCrunch on 2/21/2026