AI-generated image vs existing image
All comparisons
Reuse an existing image0.1 Wh
Generate an image with AI9 Wh
Verdict
Generating an image costs 20 to 40× a text prompt (~6 to 12 Wh), far more than reusing an image already online. It stays modest against a physical action (≈ a few minutes of oven), but it's the first real “jump” in consumption once you leave text.
Sources
Frequently asked
How much does an AI-generated image use?+
On the order of 6 to 12 Wh, i.e. 20 to 40 times a text prompt.
Is it worse than downloading a photo?+
Yes: reusing an existing image only costs a data transfer (~0.1 Wh). Generation, by contrast, spins up GPUs.
Why does an image cost more than text?+
Producing an image takes far more compute (thousands of “denoising” steps) than a text answer.