What is artificial intelligence doing to our environment?

By McKenzie Green

What?!?! I exclaim in amazement.

ChatGPT isn’t an all knowing omnipotent being that can just reach into the internet at will? No. Well, yes– on the internet part– no, on the “omnipotent” bit. Artificial intelligence (AI), like ChatGPT is not an intangible being, it’s a computer; stored in buildings called data centers worldwide. Every second these centers process AI commands, streaming services and water. 

Wait–what? Yes, water. 

These AI servers and computer data centers are guzzling water, but what do they need it for? At these data centers, high-speed data exchange processing and algorithms are run every minute. 

All of this processing causes immense heat to be released. And just like your clunky 2010 MacBook, these data center computers do not like to be hot. But unlike your MacBook, these computers require more than just a noisy fan. In addition to fans, data centers use water to cool the surrounding air through an evaporating cooling system.

Alright, so the computers need a little swig of water. What’s the big issue? Data centers like the ones used for Google services consume an average of 550,000 gallons of water per day. That’s the big issue. 

By 2027, annual global AI water consumption is predicted to reach between 4.2 billion to 6.6 billion cubic meters. That’s the big issue. As of right now, there are around 25 countries that are suffering from water scarcity. The amount of water used in a data center per day could be consumed by around 4,200 people. Dehydrated families wondering when their next drink will be while in the next town over hundreds of thousands of gallons of water are being consumed by computers. And you guessed it– that’s the big issue.

Not only are these data centers water-hoggers, but they are massive. That’s not a valid complaint, sure, an office building or large apartment could be comparable in size. But the issue is the size-to-power ratio. The boom in AI usage has these power-hungry data centers devouring megawatts in the 50 to 100 range. So while comparable in size to a large office building these centers are sucking up enough wattage to power somewhere between 25,000 to 50,000 homes.

I’m not sure about you, but that sounds like a valid complaint to me.

Oh, and did I mention they’re loud? The constant cooling and computational happening in these facilities can produce around 96 dB. This is comparable to that of the sound emitted from a city. 

For the people living nearby, this could merely be an annoyance, not unlike a loud neighbor who blasts music 24/7…their buzzing, clicking, fan-blowing music. An annoyance really.

However, for those working in the facilities, prolonged exposure to this level of sound could cause hearing loss.

Now, I’ve gone on and on about these data centers and you may be thinking: there’s no way they were built solely for AI. And you’d be right. These facilities have been around for some time now, but what hasn’t been is AI like ChatGPT4 and ClaudeAI. With AI at most of the world’s fingertips, these data centers have been kicked into overdrive, processing significantly more data. The amount of energy that it takes to run and train these algorithms is much more intensive than what has traditionally been done at these centers. Think about it this way: The centers are like Texas…used to sunny temperatures and the occasional chill in the winter. Texas is not accustomed to heavy snowstorms. So, while Texas has had snowstorms before and can accommodate them, it’s not as prepared as a place like New York or Alaska. These data centers are being hit by snow storms, except they aren’t stopping or slowing down.

You could argue the “cons” are worth it because AI is saving lives in healthcare and advancing new technologies, but in reality, it’s just making mediocre upgrades and “streamlining processes.” 

For many individuals, AI isn’t out there saving lives– it’s proofreading essays or writing emails.

To avoid sounding like every other environmental activist (which many will ultimately ignore–just look at the current state of our climate), I will not tell you to stop using AI. I will merely ask that you think about it. 

Only 1.2 percent of Earth’s water can be used for drinking. What will you use it for today?

Hydration or a grammar check?

The opinions expressed in this commentary are those of the writer and not necessarily those of the AFRO.

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