America’s AI-driven data center expansion is caught in a debate between business growth and local concerns. While many people fret over AI’s theoretical impact on jobs and other topics in the long-term, those nearest to where data centers are most concentrated face more short-term resource-related problems.
One such problem is water usage. Data centers use a lot of water. A rapid expansion of data centers means a rapid increase in their water usage. The central question is: how much water?
Table of Contents:
Tech Bro Claims
Fact Checking Tech Bro Claims With A Flood of Water Data
The Power is the Problem
Is the Electricity Squeeze Worth the Job Juice?
Data Center Electricity Fuel Mix
Hydro: Hide or Highlight?
Concentrated Impacts Can Not Be Distributed
Nonuniform Distribution of Water: Deserts Are Hot
Co-locating Data Centers and Power Plants Intensifies Local Water Use
But What About Non-Water Intensive Cooling?
Conclusion
