Altman claimed that it would take around 38,000 ChatGPT queries to use the amount of water required to produce a single almond, presenting the comparison as a way to put AI’s water consumption into perspective. The statement comes amid growing scrutiny of the environmental footprint of AI. As demand for generative AI services continues to rise, data centres require significant amounts of electricity and cooling infrastructure to operate the powerful computer systems behind chatbots and other AI applications. Water usage has become an important part of this conversation because some data centres rely on water based cooling systems to prevent servers from overheating.

The amount of water used can vary considerably depending on the facility, cooling technology, location and source of electricity. Altman’s comparison appears intended to counter claims that everyday AI usage has an overwhelmingly large environmental cost. By comparing thousands of digital interactions with the water footprint associated with producing a common agricultural product, he sought to provide users with a more relatable benchmark. However, environmental experts have pointed out that the impact of AI cannot be assessed through water consumption alone. Electricity demand, carbon emissions, hardware manufacturing and the construction of data-centre infrastructure are also important factors when evaluating the technology’s overall environmental footprint.

The issue is becoming increasingly relevant as AI adoption expands across businesses, schools and households. Millions of people now use AI tools for writing, research, coding, education and everyday tasks, increasing the demand for computing infrastructure around the world. The debate therefore centres on whether improvements in data centre efficiency and cooling technology can keep pace with the rapid growth of AI. Technology companies are under increasing pressure to reduce resource consumption while continuing to expand their AI services. Altman’s remarks have added another dimension to the discussion, highlighting the effort by AI companies to explain and contextualise the environmental costs of the technology. As AI usage continues to grow, questions around water, energy and sustainability are likely to remain an important part of the conversation surrounding its future.