Canadian billionaire on AI data center causing water scarcity: Those days are gone
Investor Kevin O'Leary and OpenAI CEO Sam Altman have dismissed concerns regarding the high water consumption of modern AI data centers. They argue that advancements in cooling technology have rendered previous criticisms about water scarcity obsolete.
Why it matters
As AI infrastructure expands, the environmental impact of data centers remains a critical point of debate for sustainability and resource management.
Kevin O'Leary is not convinced that modern AI data centers are driving water scarcity in the way critics often claim. Speaking during a recent appearance on Glenn Beck's radio show, the Canadian billionaire and "Shark Tank" investor argued that advances in cooling technology have significantly reduced water consumption, saying "those days are gone" and comparing today's facilities to "a golf course" in terms of water use.Referring to his company’s planned data center project in Utah, O'Leary said the first phase of the development, with 1.4 gigawatts of power capacity, would be "no different than a golf course" when it comes to water consumption.
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