Progress from one perspective is often the opposite from another. Development takes away open and natural spaces. Heightened security takes away freedom. And the incredible advances made possible by artificial intelligence in everything from medicine to resource management might literally kill us.
I recently read a Time story titled “Water will be the defining business issue of the decade.” The story discussed global water shortages and how the availability of water impacts where businesses can expand. It also covered, in a general sense, the growing demand new data centers place on water resources.
That story brought up another on the water woes of the American West, along with more about the water demands of AI data centers.
I won’t in any way pretend to be an expert on this subject. Far from it. So I did what more and more of us are doing: I asked Google to explain “AI impact on water in western United States.” Then I clicked on the AI overview. I let AI explain the existential threat it poses.
Here’s what it had to say:
AI data centers are heavily straining water resources in the Western United States, with large facilities consuming up to 5 million gallons daily for cooling, particularly in arid regions like Arizona, Nevada and California. This surge in demand, often using potable water, threatens local supplies, increases utility costs for residents and may cause severe water shortages, sparking significant local opposition.
Impact on Water Resources
High Consumption: A single large data center can consume roughly 300,000 to 5 million gpd, comparable to a small town’s usage.
Regional Stress: Roughly two-thirds of data centers built since 2022 are in water-stressed regions, notably in the Southwest, increasing pressure on over-allocated resources.
Cooling Needs: Data centers rely on evaporative cooling, which evaporates vast amounts of water to maintain operational temperatures.
Infrastructure Strain: The rapid, 24/7 demand from data centers can overwhelm local water systems, affecting municipal supplies.
Regional Examples and Consequences
Arizona: A Microsoft data center in Goodyear, Arizona, was estimated to use 56 million gallons of potable water annually.
Nevada: The growth of data hubs has raised concerns among residents regarding water scarcity.
Community Impact: Rising utility bills and potential water shortages have led to concerns about the long-term sustainability of water supplies for residents.
So, even AI knows it presents serious problems for society. Maybe it will become so sophisticated that it solves all these problems on its own. Or maybe it will hasten the economic divide in the U.S., make certain areas uninhabitable to humans and drag us down to the level of undeveloped countries where access to clean water is the privilege of a select few rather than a guarantee for all.
Hopefully, human intelligence will prevail and communities will make sure the rights and requirements of its human citizens take precedence over corporations and computers. At this point, it could go either way. But it’s good to know you’re doing everything you can to keep our communities safe and healthy.
Enjoy this month’s issue.
