The environmental impact of artificial intelligence (AI) is generating concern due to a claim that has been circulating. According to Bernardo Villasuso, head of the water treatment division at ECOLAB, each image created by AI can consume up to five liters of water. However, Villasuso warns about the need to be cautious with this information and assures that the real challenge lies in the infrastructure that supports AI.
Currently, many data centers use cooling systems that require large amounts of water to prevent servers from overheating. Although there are no specific figures for Mexico, it is estimated that in less than five years, global consumption related to AI could equal the electrical consumption of India and the water usage in the United States.
Given this scenario, it is crucial to analyze how water is managed in AI processes, considering reuse and avoiding waste. Companies like Microsoft, Google, and Apple are taking steps to reduce the environmental impact of their operations, from optimizing energy consumption to achieving carbon neutrality in their products by 2030.
Villasuso emphasizes that the focus should be on responsible and technological water management, rather than renouncing the use of AI. Although the discussion about AI's water consumption has gained relevance on social media, it is important to understand that the problem does not solely lie with artificial intelligence itself, but rather with the efficiency of the systems that support it, such as data centers that generate considerable heat during their operation.
