OpenAI CEO on ChatGPT water usage and data center comparisons

VERA Brief

AI-generated. Grounded in the article and its cited sources.

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman provided comparisons for ChatGPT's water usage, stating that 38,000 queries use the same amount of water as producing one almond in California. He also compared data center water consumption to that of an office building, in the context of addressing environmental concerns.

Key facts

• 38,000 ChatGPT queries consume the same amount of water as producing a single almond in California.
• The water consumption of data centers is comparable to that of an office building.
• These statements were made in the context of addressing environmental concerns surrounding AI technologies and their infrastructure.