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The Hidden Behemoth Behind Every AI Answer

Matthew S. Smi…
2025-10-01 9 min read
The Hidden Behemoth Behind Every AI Answer
The Hidden Behemoth Behind Every AI Answer

<img src="https://spectrum.ieee.org/media-library/chatgpt-daily-power-use-25-queries-need-8-5-wh-2-5-billion-queries-need-850-mwh.png?id=61619452&amp;width=980" /><br /><br /><p><span><strong>What hap...



What happens when you say “Hello” to ChatGPT?

Such a simple query might seem trivial, but making it possible across billions of sessions requires immense scale. While OpenAI reveals little information about its operations, we’ve used the scraps we do have to estimate the impact of ChatGPT—and of the generative AI industry in general.

This article is part of The Scale Issue.

OpenAI’s actions also provide hints. As part of the United States’ Stargate Project, OpenAI will collaborate with other AI titans to build the largest data centers yet. And AI companies expect to need dozens of “Stargate-class” data centers to meet user demand.


ChatGPT uses 8.5 Wh/day per user in 2025, equal to running a 10W LED bulb for 1 hour.


ChatGPT uses 850 MWh daily, equaling 14,000 EV charges for 2.5 billion global queries.


ChatGPT's 912B queries yearly need 310 GWh, equal to powering 29,000 US homes.


AI queries need 15 TWh/year, equal to two nuclear reactors\u2019 output.


Generative AI queries projected to reach 120 trillion annually by 2030.


Diagram of 38 Stargate-class data centers with racks of GPUs and construction needed.


Graphic: 347 TWh requires 44 nuclear reactors with icons of cooling towers.
Source: IEEE Spectrum Word count: 2894 words
Published on 2025-10-01 21:00