"Addressing the Water Footprint of Data Centers in the AI Boom"

The race to develop generative artificial intelligence (AI) models, such as OpenAI's ChatGPT, is leading to an increase in water consumption by tech giants like Microsoft and Google. Researchers have found that ChatGPT alone consumes 500 milliliters of water for every 10 to 50 prompts. The growing water footprint of AI models poses a significant environmental challenge and could hinder the socially responsible and sustainable use of AI in the future. Microsoft and Google, among others, are working to reduce their water footprint and become "water positive," but the launch of their own AI models could lead to even higher levels of water use. Efforts are being made to measure and reduce the energy, water, and carbon impact of AI, but the increasing demand for AI computing is raising concerns about its hidden costs in terms of energy, carbon emissions, and water consumption.