E23: The AI Energy Paradox: Why Your ChatGPT Habit Won't Kill the Planet
The AI Cookbook with Malcolm Werchota - A podcast by Malcolm Werchota

In this episode, Malcolm Werchota destroys the viral myth that "one year of ChatGPT equals 15 minutes of driving" using OpenAI's official 0.34 watt-hours per query data—revealing the claim is off by a factor of 365.He exposes how Microsoft paid $1.6 billion to restart Three Mile Island for AI, China is building 28 new nuclear reactors while Germany sits at zero capacity.Drawing from his 10 years in oil & gas witnessing real environmental destruction, Malcolm shows how the US races toward nuclear AI infrastructure, China executes massive state-planned green migration, and Europe debates while competitors build decisive advantages.Top 5 Insights:Scale Reality: One ChatGPT query = 2 minutes LED bulb usage, not 15 minutes of drivingNuclear Renaissance: US/China aggressively expand nuclear for AI; Germany imports what it refuses to buildEnvironmental Paradox: People think AI destroys the environment—it can save it#AIEnergy #Sustainability #EnergyTransition #NuclearRenaissance #DigitalTransformation #ClimateReality #AIAdoption #EuropeanCompetitiveness