Microsoft and Google's Thirsty AI Drives Big Spikes in Tech Water Use

Microsoft's water use spiked 34% in 2022, largely due to increased AI research like ChatGPT, which was developed next to cornfields in Iowa.
Cooling AI systems requires a lot of electricity and water. ChatGPT may use about 500 mL of water per 5-50 prompts.
Google also reported a 20% increase in water use for 2022, attributed to AI. Its water use doubled near Las Vegas.
Microsoft brought AI research to Iowa for its ample water supply and cooler climate to reduce cooling demands.
One Iowa water district said future Microsoft data centers must reduce peak water use to preserve supply for residents. Microsoft says it's working to address the feedback.

fortune.com

Relevant topic timeline:

8/24/2023

ChatGPT and Other Language AIs Are Nothing without Humans

Large language models like ChatGPT, despite their complexity, are actually reliant on human knowledge and labor, as they require humans to provide new content, interpret information, and train them through feedback. They cannot generate new knowledge on their own and depend on humans for improvement and expansion.

9/9/2023

Microsoft's Iowa AI Supercomputer Guzzles Water to Power ChatGPT, Concerning Local Officials

Tech developers including Microsoft, OpenAI, and Google are facing increased water consumption and environmental impact due to the energy-intensive nature of training large AI models.

9/10/2023

Tech Giants' Thirst for AI Drives Massive Surge in Water Use

Microsoft's global water consumption spiked by more than a third, equivalent to nearly 1.7 billion gallons, due to the demand for AI and the need to cool supercomputers used in developing language models like ChatGPT.

9/10/2023

ChatGPT's Thirst for AI: Microsoft's Iowa Data Center Uses Millions of Gallons of Water Monthly to Train Power-Hungry AI Models

The development of large language models like ChatGPT by tech giants such as Microsoft, OpenAI, and Google comes at a significant cost, including increased water consumption for cooling powerful supercomputers used to train these AI systems.

9/11/2023

AI's Thirst for Data Drains Iowa's Water

Microsoft-backed OpenAI has consumed a significant amount of water from the Raccoon and Des Moines rivers in Iowa to cool its supercomputer used for training language models like ChatGPT, highlighting the high costs associated with developing generative AI technologies.

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Posted 9/9/2023, 3:01:00 PM

Microsoft and Google's Thirsty AI Drives Big Spikes in Tech Water Use

Microsoft's water use spiked 34% in 2022, largely due to increased AI research like ChatGPT, which was developed next to cornfields in Iowa.
Cooling AI systems requires a lot of electricity and water. ChatGPT may use about 500 mL of water per 5-50 prompts.
Google also reported a 20% increase in water use for 2022, attributed to AI. Its water use doubled near Las Vegas.
Microsoft brought AI research to Iowa for its ample water supply and cooler climate to reduce cooling demands.
One Iowa water district said future Microsoft data centers must reduce peak water use to preserve supply for residents. Microsoft says it's working to address the feedback.

fortune.com

Relevant topic timeline:

8/24/2023

ChatGPT and Other Language AIs Are Nothing without Humans

9/9/2023

Microsoft's Iowa AI Supercomputer Guzzles Water to Power ChatGPT, Concerning Local Officials

Tech developers including Microsoft, OpenAI, and Google are facing increased water consumption and environmental impact due to the energy-intensive nature of training large AI models.

9/10/2023

Tech Giants' Thirst for AI Drives Massive Surge in Water Use

9/10/2023

ChatGPT's Thirst for AI: Microsoft's Iowa Data Center Uses Millions of Gallons of Water Monthly to Train Power-Hungry AI Models

9/11/2023

AI's Thirst for Data Drains Iowa's Water