THE UNSEEN THIRST OF AI CHATBOTS: UNDERSTANDING WATER FOOTPRINT

Nov 10, 2023

As we converse with AI chatbots like ChatGPT, few of us consider the environmental cost of the digital convenience we enjoy. Yet, recent insights reveal a startling aspect of our digital era: the significant water footprint of AI technologies.

The invisible cost of asking chatbots questions

A study by researchers at the University of California, Riverside, and the University of Texas, Arlington brings to light the water consumption behind AI models such as OpenAI's GPT-3 and GPT-4. The findings are thought-provoking: Microsoft's data centers, during the training phase of GPT-3, were estimated to have used a staggering 700,000 liters of fresh water—equivalent to filling a nuclear reactor cooling tower, or the water used to produce hundreds of cars.

How much freshwater does Chatbot AI's like ChatGPT use?

To put it in relatable terms, for every 20 to 50 questions answered, ChatGPT's servers are indirectly consuming the equivalent of a 16.9 oz water bottle. This goes to show that there are tangible resources tethered to our intangible digital activities.

How water is being used by Chatbot AI's?

So, how does AI technology come to have a water footprint? It's through the evaporative HVAC systems that are integral to data centers. These systems use water evaporation to cool the air, which in turn cools the servers. As air passes over water-saturated pads in these systems, the water absorbs the heat and evaporates, which cools the air but consumes a significant amount of water in the process.

The Sustainability Challenge of AI

The revelation of AI's water footprint presents a sustainability challenge for the tech industry. It prompts a quest for innovative cooling solutions that minimize environmental impact without compromising the efficiency and reliability of the services provided by data centers.

There is light at the end of the tunnel

Thankfully, the industry is responding. Data centers are exploring alternative cooling methods, such as using non-potable water sources and air economizers, which use cool outside air when conditions are right. Water recycling systems and advances in cooling technology efficiency are also being adopted to reduce the water footprint.

How you can help!

Every time we engage with AI, we're part of a larger story that involves not just data and algorithms, but also water, energy, and the environment. As consumers, we can drive change by supporting companies that prioritize sustainability in their operations.

True intelligence of AI will be judged by the sustainability of its existence.

Understanding the water footprint of AI challenges us to rethink our relationship with technology. As AI continues to evolve, so too must our approaches to preserving the planet. After all, the true intelligence of AI will be judged not just by the accuracy of its answers, but by the sustainability of its existence.


—————


References:

  1. "AI programs consume large volumes of scarce water" - UC Riverside study finds that cooling servers that host AI programs consume large amounts of water - https://news.ucr.edu/articles/2023/04/28/ai-programs-consume-large-volumes-scarce-water

  2. Mytton, D. Data centre water consumption. npj Clean Water 4, 11 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41545-021-00101-w

  3. "ChatGPT needs to 'drink' a water bottle's worth of fresh water for every 20 to 50 questions you ask, researchers say" - https://www.businessinsider.com/chatgpt-generative-ai-water-use-environmental-impact-study-2023-4