Estimates for the water consumption of AI vary dramatically, with per-prompt figures ranging from 0.26 mL to 519 mL, a difference of 2,000x. This discrepancy arises from differing methodologies, such as whether indirect water use for electricity generation is included. While AI-specific facilities consumed about 155 TWh of electricity in 2025 (0.5% of global electricity), AI accounted for approximately 5-6% of new global electricity demand in the same year due to rapid growth in AI infrastructure. Data centers in the US consumed an estimated 17.4 billion gallons of water directly in 2023, with an additional 211 billion gallons used indirectly. AI
IMPACT Understanding the true environmental cost of AI is crucial for sustainable development and resource management in the sector.
RANK_REASON The item discusses varying methodologies for calculating AI's environmental impact, which is an analytical commentary rather than a direct release or event.
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