OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has dismissed concerns about AI data centers consuming excessive water, calling the issue a persistent but unfounded "meme." In a recent interview, Altman argued that modern data centers use roughly the same amount of water as a large office building, challenging widespread criticism of the industry’s environmental impact.
Altman’s remarks came during the premiere episode of Sources, a podcast hosted by Alex Heath, where he addressed growing resistance to AI development. His comments follow a 2024 report from a Virginia state government commission that found most data centers in the state consume similar or less water than comparable office buildings, though some facilities exceeded those levels. The report highlighted variability in water usage across facilities, with evaporative cooling systems—common in warmer climates—identified as a key factor in higher consumption.
Critics, however, point to regional water strain as a growing concern. A Gallup poll from May 2024 found that 71% of Americans oppose data center construction in their area, with 70% citing environmental impact as a primary concern. Among those opposed, 18% specifically named water usage as a key issue. A Business Insider investigation from 2023 linked data centers to worsening water shortages in the U.S. West, attributing part of the strain to water-intensive cooling methods.
The Data Center Coalition, an industry trade group, acknowledges varying cooling techniques, including closed-loop and waterless systems, and emphasizes that developers prioritize efficient water practices tailored to local availability. Altman further compared AI’s water footprint to California almond farming, asserting that growing a single almond requires more water than thousands of ChatGPT queries. He suggested that public scrutiny of AI’s water use is disproportionate compared to other high-consumption industries.
The debate underscores tensions between AI expansion and environmental sustainability, with policymakers and communities grappling over how to balance technological advancement with resource conservation. While industry groups highlight efficiency improvements, critics argue that localized water stress—particularly in drought-prone regions—demands stricter oversight and alternative cooling technologies.