Report Finds Chatbots Like ChatGPT Consume More Water Than Expected

Artificial intelligence might be revolutionizing the digital world, but it’s also proving to be quite thirsty. A new study reveals that AI tools, including popular chatbots like ChatGPT, are using up to four times more water than previously thought. Researchers discovered that handling just 10 to 50 queries on an AI chatbot can guzzle as much as 2 liters of water—well above the earlier estimate of half a liter.

The unexpected spike is due to the intensive cooling systems required for data centers, which are running at full throttle as AI expands. As the demand for AI grows, so does its environmental footprint, making sustainability a growing concern for the industry.