ChatGPT's Environmental Impact: High Water and Energy Consumption Revealed

New studies show that ChatGPT's resource demands are straining water and power supplies, raising concerns about sustainability.

A new study highlights that generating a 100-word email with ChatGPT can consume up to 1.4 liters of water, depending on the location of the data center.
The electricity required for the same task can power over a dozen LED light bulbs for an hour.
Data centers, especially those for AI, are increasingly relying on liquid-cooling systems due to their high energy and water demands.
If just one-tenth of Americans used ChatGPT weekly, the annual power consumption would equal that of all households in Washington, D.C., for 20 days.
Companies like Meta and Google have faced criticism for their substantial water usage, with promises to reduce environmental impact yet to be concretely fulfilled.