Artificial Intelligence’s Toll on the Environment Is Far Worse Than You Think, Study Finds

Cooling data centers that support AI models requires millions of gallons of water annually.

AP/Michael Dwyer, file
The OpenAI logo is seen on a mobile phone in front of a computer screen displaying output from ChatGPT. AP/Michael Dwyer, file

As the world becomes more familiar with generative artificial intelligence, the environmental impact of the technology is coming under scrutiny.

One of the largest expenses is cooling the data centers that support AI models. These facilities require millions of gallons of water annually. For instance, Microsoft estimates that its Goodyear, Arizona, data center will consume around 56 million gallons of drinking water each year, a notable figure for an area already facing water scarcity, Wired reports.

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