OpenAI CEO says AI water use concerns are exaggerated, usage similar to office buildings

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman recently said that public concerns about AI water usage have become a "meme," but the data doesn't support it. He pointed out that modern data centers use about as much water as an office building, adding that the claim "doesn't hold up under scrutiny."

A 2024 report by the Virginia state committee also found that most data centers use water comparable to or less than large office buildings. A Gallup survey in May showed 71% of Americans oppose data centers in their area, 70% worry about environmental impact, and 18% specifically mention water use.

Altman cited that growing one almond in California requires 3.56 liters of water, while a ChatGPT query uses only 0.32 milliliters. He acknowledged that the industry needs to improve product value to change public perception.