AI Is Accelerating the Loss of Our Scarcest Natural Resource: Water

Introduction

Author: Cindy Gordon, CEO and Innovation Leader, focuses on modernizing via AI.
Freshwater scarcity is a growing issue globally, exacerbated by AI technologies.
Report is based on a Forbes article published on February 25, 2024.

Earth is 70% water; however, only 3% is freshwater.
Most freshwater is trapped in glaciers, making it inaccessible.
Humans and many organisms require daily water intake to survive.
Over 1.1 billion people lack access to adequate water; 2.7 billion experience water scarcity at least one month a year.
Water scarcity contributes to sanitation issues and diseases like cholera and typhoid.
UN predicts by 2030, half of the world could face severe water stress.

The rise of AI, specifically generative AI, increases water consumption.
Data centers require significant water for cooling operations.
- Cooling data centers: up to 9 liters of water evaporated per kWh of energy used.
Tech companies significantly contribute to water usage:
- Microsoft, Google, and Meta are working on water replenishment initiatives but face challenges in actualizing them.

Water is critical for sustaining economic growth; efforts are needed to decouple water use from economic expansion.
Tech giants' water needs are increasing with the demand for AI and online services.
The U.S. uses water-intensive thermoelectric plants for electricity, increasing the water footprint.
Wafer fabrication also adds to water usage with low recycling rates.

Tech companies are pledging to replenish more water than they consume by 2030.
Google's commitment to water security and ecosystem health.
Need for companies to consider the social implications of AI investments:
1. Impact on water consumption.
2. Potential social problems vs. benefits.
3. Social risk quantification and ESG goal alignment.