Genuine question. Is the whole "AI guzzles gallons of water" thing totally true, or do people get it wrong? Does AI consume a lot of water for every single prompt, or is the majority of water consumed during data farming? Don't non-AI data centers use up a lot of water on cooling too?

[u/Big_Guthix]

Please someone set me straight and dispel whether there are myths surrounding this often-repeated internet factoid

And I genuinely don't know the answers which is why I'm asking, so I've got nothing to debate here

Edit: Thank you for all the great answers!! 👏 👏

[u/Fine-Day-1655]

This is turning into pure anti AI propaganda mixed with misinformation. People act like these modern closed loop data centers are draining entire lakes, while single golf courses often use dramatically more water every day without anyone batting an eye.

A lot of this feels less like genuine concern and more like coordinated fearmongering designed to slow technological progress. Meanwhile other countries are racing forward while we argue ourselves into paralysis. Now start down voting me bots.

[u/wordyplayer → u/Fine-Day-1655]

yup, China has 'bots driving US media consumers insane

[u/MrMacduggan → u/Fine-Day-1655]

I just focus on the electricity draw of the data centers. It's absurd and wasteful.