Artificial Intelligence

In the fast-paced digital age, artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping how we live, work, and communicate. From chatbots like ChatGPT to powerful image generators and deepfake tools, AI is rapidly expanding its reach. However, behind the seamless digital interactions lies a hidden environmental cost — a rising threat to the world’s most precious resource: water.

The Hidden Thirst of AI

While most people associate AI with algorithms, servers, and futuristic possibilities, few realize that powering this technology comes with a steep environmental cost. Water plays a critical role in cooling the powerful computers that process and deliver AI-generated content.

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman revealed that each question answered by ChatGPT uses about 1/15th of a teaspoon of water. However, this figure may not paint the full picture. According to researchers from California and Texas, the ChatGPT-3 model consumes around half a liter of water for every 10 to 50 questions — translating to approximately 2 to 10 teaspoons per response.

This water isn’t used directly by the chatbot but in the cooling systems of massive data centers and in electricity production required to run AI models. The more complex the question or the longer the answer, the more energy and cooling power it needs, resulting in greater water usage.

Why This Matters

Water scarcity is already a pressing global issue. According to the United Nations, over 50% of the global population faces water shortages. With climate change and population growth putting additional stress on water resources, the rising demand from AI technologies could further worsen this crisis.

OpenAI reports that ChatGPT processes over one billion queries per day. When you multiply the water required for each query, the scale of consumption becomes alarming.

A U.S. study estimates that by 2027, the AI industry may consume four to six times more water than the entire country of Denmark annually. Professor Shaolei Ren from the University of California warns:

“The more we use AI, the more water it will consume.”

Inside the AI Water Cycle

Most AI-related operations take place in massive data centers, some of which are larger than football stadiums. These centers house thousands of servers that generate immense heat. To prevent overheating and maintain efficiency, cooling systems use fresh, clean water — often the same water we rely on for drinking and agriculture.

Many of these systems work by evaporating water into steam, with up to 80% of it lost during the process. Unlike simpler online tasks like browsing or streaming, AI operations demand significantly more computational power — especially for generating text, images, or videos — which further intensifies cooling needs.

The International Energy Agency (IEA) estimates that a single ChatGPT query uses ten times more energy than a Google search, highlighting AI’s heavier environmental footprint.

Tech Giants and Water Consumption

Despite the growing concern, major tech companies rarely disclose how much water is consumed specifically by their AI systems. However, their total water usage has seen a significant spike in recent years.

• Google: Water consumption nearly doubled since 2020

• Microsoft: A leading investor in OpenAI, also reported rising water usage

• Meta (Facebook) and Amazon have likewise shown upward trends, though Amazon has yet to publish specific water-use data

In 2024 alone, Google’s data centers extracted 37 billion liters of water, with 29 billion liters evaporating during the cooling process. To put that into perspective, this volume could:

• Provide 1.6 million people with the UN-recommended 50 liters per day for an entire year, or

• Supply 51 golf courses in the southwestern U.S. with water for a year

Is There a Better Way?

Some experts and companies are working toward more sustainable cooling methods. Professor Ren suggests air or dry cooling systems, though these require more electricity, potentially shifting the environmental burden elsewhere.

Meanwhile, companies like Microsoft, Meta, and Amazon are investing in closed-loop systems that circulate water or other fluids without evaporating. These systems could be vital, especially in arid regions where water scarcity is already critical. However, such technologies are still in early stages and have not been widely adopted.

Another potential solution is using non-potable water sources, such as treated wastewater or seawater, for cooling. Some companies have begun experimenting with these alternatives, but most still prefer fresh, clean water due to reduced risk of bacterial growth and equipment damage.

Conclusion: A Call for Responsible Innovation

Artificial intelligence has the power to revolutionize industries and solve complex global problems — but it should not come at the cost of our environment. As the world grapples with a worsening water crisis, the AI industry must take urgent steps toward transparency, accountability, and innovation in resource management.

Cleaner energy sources, advanced cooling systems, and responsible water usage must become a priority as we move toward a more AI-integrated future. Without action, the same technology that promises progress may end up deepening the very crises it seeks to solve.