Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, disputes viral claims that a single ChatGPT prompt uses as much water as taking a shower for hours. In an episode of the “Sources” podcast with Alex Heath, Altman says the comparison is misleading and that the water use figures circulating online do not reflect how modern AI infrastructure operates.
Altman argues that current data centers rely on advanced cooling technologies and therefore should not be equated with older or inefficient models. He also compares the amount of water involved to the water required to grow almonds, saying narratives about AI water consumption are misconceptions rather than accurate measurements. He further states that large data centers require water at levels broadly comparable to those of typical office buildings.
Across outlets, the reporting centers on Altman’s effort to address backlash and misinformation online about environmental impacts from AI computing, using podcast remarks and illustrative comparisons rather than presenting new independently verified water-consumption studies.
