Small Sustainable AI Choices We Can Control
Listen to the Podcast Episode for a deeper dive
What Does a Sustainable AI Workflow Actually Look Like for Designers?
Reaching Episode 50 feels like a big moment, and I’m so grateful you’ve been on this journey with me. Over the last 50 episodes, we’ve explored how AI is helping us design smarter, work faster, and run more creative, efficient businesses.
But this week, I want to zoom out and talk about something just as important as productivity or client experience: sustainability.
Specifically, how does our growing use of AI fit into the bigger picture of environmental responsibility? And what small, intentional choices can we make to align with our values while still embracing innovation?
This isn’t about guilt or ditching the tools that make our lives easier. It’s about understanding the impact of AI and finding easy, practical ways to design and live more sustainably.
AI and the Environment: What You Should Know
AI doesn’t just “exist” in the cloud. It runs on physical infrastructure powered by energy and water. Every time we prompt ChatGPT or generate a design in Midjourney, a data center somewhere is doing the heavy lifting.
Here’s what that looks like:
A single data center can use up to 5 million gallons of water per day for cooling.
In 2023, Google’s data centers used more than 6 billion gallons of water.
Data centers account for 12 to 13 percent of electricity use in the U.S. and generate approximately 61 billion kilograms of CO₂-equivalent emissions each year.
That’s a lot. But let’s put it into context.
What Does That Mean for Designers Like Us?
If you’re using AI tools ten times a day for sourcing, ideation, or admin, that adds up to about 16 kilograms of CO₂ per year.
That’s roughly the equivalent of:
Driving a gas car for 39 miles
Running 16 loads in the dryer
Taking 8 hot showers
Leaving a 100-watt bulb on for four hours a day for three months
So yes, AI has an environmental cost. But for most of us, it’s not our biggest source of emissions. Still, every choice matters.
Easy Ways to Offset Your AI Footprint
The good news? There are several simple changes you can make, either at home, in your studio, or in client projects, that have a far greater environmental impact than your AI use.
Here are a few to consider:
Switch to LED lighting: LEDs can save up to 433 kilograms of CO₂ per year. That’s 27 times the emissions of daily AI use.
Hang-dry your laundry when possible: Avoiding the dryer even a few times a week significantly reduces energy use.
Install a smart thermostat: Efficient temperature control helps lower both energy bills and carbon emissions.
Cut down on food waste and carpool when possible: Not design-specific, but incredibly impactful in the big picture.
Use low-flow plumbing fixtures and rainwater systems: Whether in your own home or a client’s project, these upgrades save water. That’s important when you consider how much water data centers consume.
Choose sustainable materials: Reclaimed wood, low-VOC paints, and locally sourced finishes reduce emissions and support healthier indoor environments.
How AI Can Support Sustainable Design
Here’s what doesn’t get talked about enough. AI can actually help us be more sustainable in how we design and run our businesses.
Designers using AI report:
Saving an average of 13 hours a week on admin, sourcing, and design ideation
Reducing overhead by up to $7,500 annually (SBE Council, 2024)
Making faster, better-informed decisions about sustainable materials and products
Improving layout accuracy, which reduces waste and order errors
Exploring energy-efficient lighting plans and sustainable certifications with less manual research
In other words, AI can help us make smarter, more eco-friendly decisions without the burnout.
What the Industry Is Doing (and What Still Needs to Happen)
Some of the biggest tech players are starting to take action around AI’s environmental impact:
Microsoft has committed to reducing water use in specific data centers by 95 percent and becoming water-positive by 2030.
States like California are introducing legislation that would require data centers to track and report their water and energy usage.
Companies are testing new technologies like liquid cooling systems and reclaimed water solutions.
But we are not there yet. Greater transparency, stronger regulation, and continued innovation are essential. That only happens when users and professionals like us continue to ask questions and advocate for better.
Why Interior Designers Are in a Unique Position to Lead
As designers, we influence far more than surface-level style. We shape behavior, habits, and values through the spaces we create.
That means every decision we make, whether it’s recommending a low-VOC paint, sourcing a local material, or explaining why we chose LED lighting, is an opportunity to model what sustainable leadership looks like.
Whether you’re:
Choosing a greener option for your next kitchen design
Reducing energy waste in your studio
Or simply having honest conversations with your clients about sustainable materials
...you’re making an impact.
Final Thoughts
Being a sustainable designer in the age of AI doesn’t mean rejecting technology. It means using it intentionally.
AI tools like ChatGPT, Midjourney, or sourcing automation can make your workflow faster, more efficient, and yes, more sustainable when paired with thoughtful choices that align with your values.
So keep leaning into what works. Stay curious. Take small actions that add up. And remember: in design, it’s the details that make the difference.
Thank you for being part of this community, and for designing with both purpose and integrity.
Until then, stay informed, stay inspired, and keep designing with intention.
Jenna Gaidusek
CEO, AI for Interior Designers™️
Disclaimer: This blog was written using AI as a recap from the recording then edited by the author for accuracy and details.
