GoKawiilSam Altman claims 38,000 ChatGPT queries equal water used to grow one almond
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman pushed back on claims that ChatGPT usage consumes excessive water, comparing it to a viral claim that a single query uses as much water as running a shower for six hours. Speaking on the Sources Podcast, he said 38,000 queries equate to the water needed to grow one almond in California, and argued modern data centers no longer rely on evaporative cooling, instead using water similar to an office building.
GoKawiil's interpretation of the reporting above, not reported fact.
Water usage has become a flashpoint in public criticism of AI infrastructure, especially as data centers expand rapidly worldwide. Altman's comments aim to reframe the debate using a relatable comparison, but they also highlight how AI companies are trying to counter narratives about environmental costs without releasing detailed, verifiable consumption data.
- Altman compared ChatGPT's water use per query favorably to growing a single almond in California.
- He argued that modern data centers primarily use water like ordinary office buildings, not extensive cooling systems.
- The claim addresses public backlash over AI's environmental footprint but lacks independently verified figures.
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Published there as: “OpenAI CEO Sam Altman says 38,000 ChatGPT queries use as much water as the production of one almond — says data centers use no more water than an office building”
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