Turns out, not all AI prompts are created equal—at least when it comes to their environmental impact. A new study reveals that asking an AI model a complex question (like generating long-form content or solving intricate problems) can produce 50 times more carbon emissions than simpler queries. So while chatting with ChatGPT might feel weightless, the energy cost stacks up behind the scenes.

Editor’s Note: As AI becomes ubiquitous, we rarely think about its carbon footprint—but this research shows that how we use it matters. If energy-intensive prompts become the norm, the climate toll could add up fast. It’s a wake-up call for both developers (to optimize efficiency) and users (to be mindful of overusing resource-heavy tasks). Who knew typing “write me a novel” could be an eco-choice?