Using GPT-4 to generate 100 words consumes up to 3 bottles of water — AI data centers also raise power and water bills for nearby residents - eviltoast
  • queermunist she/her@lemmy.ml
    link
    fedilink
    arrow-up
    27
    arrow-down
    1
    ·
    2 months ago

    The water isn’t really consumed. It’s not like the servers are digesting it or boiling it away or something. Doesn’t the water just cycle through the system and then come out warm on the other side? There’s no reason for that water to go to waste!

    Seems like these data centers are just dumping perfectly potable drinking water because it’s slightly cheaper than having their own water supply and cooling ponds.

      • queermunist she/her@lemmy.ml
        link
        fedilink
        arrow-up
        4
        ·
        2 months ago

        There’d be billowing clouds of steam coming from data centers if that were the case.

        Pretty sure the water just goes through coolant piping and comes out the other side warmer, because water is a good heat sink.