Water usage is another problem that isn’t talked about as much but is equally important. The computers that power AI generate a lot of heat and need to be cooled down, often using water. Large data centers, where the AI lives, depend on water to keep the machines from overheating. In some places, this can mean millions of liters of water just to run these systems. To give a perspective, a single prompt of ChatGPT uses 50 centiliters of water and consumes half a million kilowatt-hour of electricity daily which is equivalent to powering 180,000 homes. And in a world where water shortages are becoming a big issue due to climate change, this is a serious concern.
So, while AI has amazing potential, we also need to think about the impact it has on our planet. Finding ways to make AI more eco-friendly is important to ensure that technology advancements don’t come at the cost of harming the environment.
