Iowa's Water-Powered AI: The Secret Behind ChatGPT's Creation

Tech developers like Microsoft, OpenAI, and Google are facing increasing costs and environmental concerns as they meet the growing demand for their AI tools. The development of large language models, such as OpenAI's ChatGPT, requires significant computing power and generates a lot of heat, necessitating the use of water for cooling. Microsoft and OpenAI have been secretive about the specifics of their AI projects in Iowa, but it has been revealed that the Raccoon and Des Moines rivers in central Iowa were used to cool a powerful supercomputer. Microsoft's global water consumption spiked 34% in 2022, largely attributed to its AI research. Researchers estimate that ChatGPT consumes 500 milliliters of water for every series of prompts or questions. Google also reported a 20% growth in water use, largely due to its AI work. Both companies are investing in research to measure and reduce the environmental impact of their AI systems.