Electricity by type of AI task
For 1,000 inferences, in kilowatt-hours (logarithmic scale)
Electricity by type of AI task
The analysis
- Generating costs far more than classifying: image generation consumes more than 1,000 times text classification.
- The models measured are open models, smaller than today's large assistants.
The figures
- The scale is logarithmic: each graduation multiplies by 10.
- Image generation: 2.9 kWh for 1,000 inferences.
- Text summarisation: 0.049 kWh for 1,000 inferences.
- Text generation: 0.047 kWh for 1,000 inferences.
- Object detection: 0.038 kWh for 1,000 inferences.
- Image classification: 0.007 kWh for 1,000 inferences.
- Text classification: 0.002 kWh for 1,000 inferences.
Assumptions
- Electricity measured on open models, average per task.
- Averages over several models per task.
- 2023 hardware and software: orders of magnitude remain useful, not the exact values.
More on uses
The whole Uses topic →Charts and maps
Chart
UsesReasoning mode multiplies energy useChartUsesEnergy savings from 4 settings10times as muchsaved by shortening the response rather than the instructionChartUsesElectricity used by a question, an image, a videoabout300timesa 5-second video versus one questionChartUsesElectricity used by a generated video, 7 models measured× 3,000from 0.14 Wh to over 415 Wh per video
UsesReasoning mode multiplies energy useChartUsesEnergy savings from 4 settings10times as muchsaved by shortening the response rather than the instructionChartUsesElectricity used by a question, an image, a videoabout300timesa 5-second video versus one questionChartUsesElectricity used by a generated video, 7 models measured× 3,000from 0.14 Wh to over 415 Wh per videoAnalyses
Where does this figure come from?Uses20 October 2026"A generated image is a phone charge"The comparison did the rounds of the media in late 2023. It came from a serious study, but from its preliminary version, from the most power-hungry generator, and from a phone charge counted as 12 Wh.
Where does this figure come from?Uses20 October 2026"A generated video uses 1 kWh"The figure has been circulating since 2025, often attached to Sora. It comes from a real measurement, but one made on a different, open model, in a particularly heavy version. Measurements of 7 generators range from 0.14 to 415 Wh.Tools
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Across the hub
AI Impact DatabaseAll the figures, their methodology and their sources.
AI Ranking10 assistants rated out of 100: performance, ethics and environment.
AnalysesThe signed pieces: analyses, viewpoints, "Where does this figure come from?".
Charts and mapsYou are hereThe reference visuals, with their data and sources.
ToolsOpen calculations, your assumptions on the left, the result on the right.
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