"On average, a single deep learning-based paper generates 3,297 kilograms of CO2 equivalents" https://arxiv.org/pdf/2408.08203
In 2023, there were ~16k #deeplearning #recsys papers published according to Google Scholar .

3.3 tonnes x 16k = 52.8 tonnes of CO2.

Meaning that: #recsys research emits roughly the same amount of CO2 annually as the British Virgin Islands. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_carbon_dioxide_emissions#Fossil_CO2_emissions_by_country/region