OpenAI's ChatGPT running old GPT-3 model consumes 4 times more water than previously estimated
As generative AI continues to revolutionize various industries, concerns about its environmental impact are growing. Critics have raised alarming possibilities, such as the potential downfall of humanity and widespread job losses. While AI has been embraced in sectors like healthcare, education, and entertainment, the rapid integration raises significant questions.
Image: 
Elon Musk recently highlighted the imminent technological breakthrough in AI, warning that by 2025, we might face electricity shortages to sustain it. Another pressing issue is the substantial water demand required to cool these AI models. Reports have shown that Microsoft Copilot and ChatGPT consume approximately one bottle of water for every query. A recent study revealed that OpenAI's GPT-4 model uses up to three bottles of water to generate just 100 words.
New findings from the ongoing study "Making AI Less Thirsty" suggest that ChatGPT utilizing older GPT-3 models consumes up to four times more water for cooling than previously estimated, as reported by The Times (via Windows Central). With newer models like GPT-4 and GPT-4o incorporating more advanced features, it is likely that they will require even more cooling resources.
Image: 
This escalating resource consumption poses a significant environmental challenge as AI becomes more potent. While Microsoft aims to achieve carbon negativity by 2030, the increasing demands of AI make this objective more arduous to accomplish.
Furthermore, OpenAI reportedly expends around $700,000 per day to maintain ChatGPT's operations. Despite a market cap exceeding $157 billion, the company faces the pressure to generate profits amidst sustainability concerns. The transition to a for-profit entity within the next two years presents additional hurdles, requiring OpenAI to navigate challenges from investors, regulatory bodies, and its internal board.
Image: 
For more information, you can refer to the following articles:
