GAO Issues Report on Generative AI’s Environmental and Human Effects
Summary
On April 22, 2025, the US Government Accountability Office (GAO) announced the release of its Technology Assessment on Generative AI’s Environmental and Human Effects. The report discusses the significant resources used by generative AI, while recognizing that the environmental effects are uncertain and not well understood due to insufficient data and information. The report also discusses the potential substantial human effects of generative AI, focusing on five risks and challenges: unsafe systems, lack of data privacy, cybersecurity concerns, unintentional bias, and lack of accountability. The potential benefits and challenges of generative AI are also described for four application areas: public services, labor markets, education, and research and development.
To enhance the benefits and address the potential effects of generative AI, the report proposes policy options. To reduce environmental effects of generative AI, policy options include maintaining the status quo of current efforts in academia, industry, and government; expanding efforts to improve data collection and reporting; and encouraging innovation. Policy options for human effects of generative AI include maintaining the status quo of current policy efforts; encouraging the use of available AI frameworks to inform generative AI use and software development processes; and continuing to expand efforts to share best practices and establish standards.
