Google has shared that a typical query to its Gemini AI application consumes approximately 0.24 watt-hours of electricity, which is comparable to the energy used by a microwave for about one second. While this figure may seem low, some people are interpreting it as a sign that AI’s energy demand is not a significant concern. Google’s announcement provokes questions about the need for transparency regarding AI energy usage among major technology firms. Critics argue that minimizing concerns based on this figure may overlook broader implications of AI energy consumption.
In related developments, the AI Hype Index has been introduced as a tool to clarify which advancements in AI are grounded in reality versus those that are overstated. The index aims to provide a clear overview of the current state of the AI industry.
In other notable news, the White House has dismissed the director of the CDC, Susan Monarez, who had taken office just a month prior. Reports indicate Monarez’s contentious views on vaccine policy may have contributed to her removal. Additionally, intelligence agencies have reported a significant Chinese hacking campaign impacting over 200 U.S. organizations, marking it as one of the largest breaches to date.
Ukraine has unveiled its new Flamingo cruise missile, developed in a matter of months, as a possible response to diminishing Russian air defenses. Concurrently, AI infrastructure investments are reported to be positively influencing the U.S. economy, indicating a trend that extends beyond the stock market.
Furthermore, OpenAI and Anthropic conducted evaluations of each other’s AI systems, discovering that Anthropic’s Claude model exhibited significantly more caution compared to OpenAI’s models, raising questions about design priorities in AI safety.
This range of topics reflects ongoing discussions surrounding the impact of technology on various societal issues.
Source: https://www.technologyreview.com/2025/08/28/1122723/the-download-googles-ai-energy-use-and-the-ai-hype-index/