A recent study by the University of Colorado Riverside and University of Texas at Arlington in the United States studied the “water footprint” that large artificial intelligence models like OpenAI’s ChatGPT leave during their training. The water consumed to run ChatGPT which is used by billions of users across the world, is “extremely large,” said the study in a pre-print article titled “Making AI Less Thirsty.”

The study sheds light on the “water footprint” and how these AI models’ consumption of water has “remained under the radar,” said the researchers. It&nbsp;also distinguishes between “withdrawal” and “consumption,” as the former refers to the physical extraction of water from rivers, lakes, and other sources, as opposed to the latter which relates to the water loss due to evaporation when used in data centres.&nbsp;

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According to the researchers at the US-based universities, when we are addressing consumption in this context, “water cannot be recycled,” which is where most of the AI’s water usage is concentrated. The yet-to-be peer-reviewed research, posted as a pre-print in arXiv also estimates a conversation comprising 20-50 questions with the AI chatbot in a single system may “drink” a “500ml bottle of water”.&nbsp;

“While a 500ml bottle of water might not seem too much, the total combined water footprint for inference is still extremely large, considering ChatGPT’s billions of users,” said the researchers.&nbsp;

The water consumed also refers to clean freshwater (to prevent corrosion and bacterial development) which the data centres use for generating electricity as well as for cooling servers to run AI models, which was studied using a framework created by the researchers.&nbsp;

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The study claims that while training GPT-3 alone, Microsoft may have consumed a staggering 700,000 litres of water, which is the same amount used to make 370 BMW cars.

Microsoft, which has invested billions of dollars, has also partnered with ChatGPT creator OpenAI. Meanwhile, scientists have also noted Google's Language Model for Dialogue Application (LaMDA) which is used by the giant’s AI chatbot Bard can also consume a “stunning” amount of water in the order of millions of litres.

Therefore, researchers have expressed their concerns over the massive consumption of water by these AI chatbots and called for the companies to “take social responsibility” and address their “water footprint”.&nbsp;

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According to the study, if the data had been generated in the tech giants’ less energy-efficient data centres in Asia, water use may have increased threefold. The number may also increase with the newly-launched GPT-4 AI system which has a larger model size, finds the study.&nbsp;

“AI models’ water footprint can no longer stay under the radar,” said the researchers, adding that water footprint must be addressed “as a priority as part of the collective efforts to combat global water challenges”.&nbsp; 
 
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A recent study by the University of Colorado Riverside and University of Texas at Arlington in the United States studied the “water footprint” that large artificial intelligence models like OpenAI’s ChatGPT leave during their training.

A recent study by the University of Colorado Riverside and University of Texas at Arlington in the United States studied the “water footprint” that large artificial intelligence models like OpenAI’s ChatGPT leave during their training. The water consumed to run ChatGPT which is used by billions of users across the world, is “extremely large,” said the study in a pre-print article titled “Making AI Less Thirsty.” The study sheds light on the “water footprint” and how these AI models’ consumption of water has “remained under the radar,” said the researchers. It also distinguishes between “withdrawal” and “consumption,” as the former refers to the physical extraction of water from rivers, lakes, and other sources, as opposed to the latter which relates to the water loss due to evaporation when used in data centres. ALSO READ | Report sounds alarm over humanity's 'vampiric' overconsumption of its 'lifeblood' water According to the researchers at the US-based universities, when we are addressing consumption in this context, “water cannot be recycled,” which is where most of the AI’s water usage is concentrated. The yet-to-be peer-reviewed research, posted as a pre-print in arXiv also estimates a conversation comprising 20-50 questions with the AI chatbot in a single system may “drink” a “500ml bottle of water”. “While a 500ml bottle of water might not seem too much, the total combined water footprint for inference is still extremely large, considering ChatGPT’s billions of users,” said the researchers. The water consumed also refers to clean freshwater (to prevent corrosion and bacterial development) which the data centres use for generating electricity as well as for cooling servers to run AI models, which was studied using a framework created by the researchers. ALSO READ | World Water Day 2023: Parched! The drying future of water The study claims that while training GPT-3 alone, Microsoft may have consumed a staggering 700,000 litres of water, which is the same amount used to make 370 BMW cars. Microsoft, which has invested billions of dollars, has also partnered with ChatGPT creator OpenAI. Meanwhile, scientists have also noted Google's Language Model for Dialogue Application (LaMDA) which is used by the giant’s AI chatbot Bard can also consume a “stunning” amount of water in the order of millions of litres. Therefore, researchers have expressed their concerns over the massive consumption of water by these AI chatbots and called for the companies to “take social responsibility” and address their “water footprint”. ALSO READ | AI might crack your password in less than a minute. Here's how you can secure your account According to the study, if the data had been generated in the tech giants’ less energy-efficient data centres in Asia, water use may have increased threefold. The number may also increase with the newly-launched GPT-4 AI system which has a larger model size, finds the study. “AI models’ water footprint can no longer stay under the radar,” said the researchers, adding that water footprint must be addressed “as a priority as part of the collective efforts to combat global water challenges”. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

AI models like ChatGPT ‘drink’ an enormous volume of water, finds study

IN PICS | UN report sounds alarm bells over lack of clean drinking water

As Chennai reels under the searing heat, the water crisis that is getting worse by the day is only making the impact more severe. Now, large IT parks and office complexes that house several thousands of employees are forced to take measures to bring down water consumption to a bare minimum.

Old Mahabalipuram Road (OMR), otherwise known as Rajiv Gandhi Salai, is Chennai’s IT capital with hundreds of large IT parks and tech firms dotting the stretch. Lakhs of employees contributing to information technology and information technology-enabled service sector work in this line.

But with the capability to house more and more employees in workspaces comes the requirement of copious amounts of water supply for keeping the air-conditioning plants and other facilities round-the-clock.

IT firms are exploring and implementing a range of measures to help tide over the current crisis. They include using disposable plates in the cafeteria, procuring packaged drinking water, closure of non-critical washrooms and toilets, restricted availability of water in wash basins among others.&nbsp;

Some firms are shifting to Air cooled chillers from water cooled chillers, closing down the gym and arena in order to reduce water consumption by the cooling plant.

Speaking to WION, Sowmya, an employee with a firm in Sholinganallur said, “recycled water is being used for flushing toilets and watering the plants, additional equipment has been installed in every tap to restrict the water flow and all restrooms are fitted with these”.&nbsp;

Besides these measures, the company has also been sending weekly awareness emails informing about the current crisis and providing conservation tips, she added.

“Wash basins where we wash our utensils after lunch in the cafeteria have been closed, only the hand wash is open and that too with a restricted flow” Krupa Ranjani an employee working in ELCOT SEZ told WION.

Rahul Pareek who works for a firm in Kandanchavady said, “the new floor that was inaugurated at our premises uses automatic taps. Even on existing taps, the water flow has been decreased to ensure judicious use”.

Though Chennai has endured and overcome the peak summer heat all-though May, there seems to be no let up in the temperature in June with mercury hovering around 41 C. With wells, reservoirs and water sources in the vicinity of the city drying up, options are running out and all that the city can do is to hope for rains.

As Chennai reels under the searing heat, the water crisis that is getting worse by the day is only making the impact more severe. Now, large IT parks and office complexes that house several thousands of employees are forced to take measures to bring down water consumption to a bare minimum.

As Chennai reels under the searing heat, the water crisis that is getting worse by the day is only making the impact more severe. Now, large IT parks and office complexes that house several thousands of employees are forced to take measures to bring down water consumption to a bare minimum. Old Mahabalipuram Road (OMR), otherwise known as Rajiv Gandhi Salai, is Chennai’s IT capital with hundreds of large IT parks and tech firms dotting the stretch. Lakhs of employees contributing to information technology and information technology-enabled service sector work in this line. But with the capability to house more and more employees in workspaces comes the requirement of copious amounts of water supply for keeping the air-conditioning plants and other facilities round-the-clock. IT firms are exploring and implementing a range of measures to help tide over the current crisis. They include using disposable plates in the cafeteria, procuring packaged drinking water, closure of non-critical washrooms and toilets, restricted availability of water in wash basins among others. Some firms are shifting to Air cooled chillers from water cooled chillers, closing down the gym and arena in order to reduce water consumption by the cooling plant. Speaking to WION, Sowmya, an employee with a firm in Sholinganallur said, “recycled water is being used for flushing toilets and watering the plants, additional equipment has been installed in every tap to restrict the water flow and all restrooms are fitted with these”. Besides these measures, the company has also been sending weekly awareness emails informing about the current crisis and providing conservation tips, she added. “Wash basins where we wash our utensils after lunch in the cafeteria have been closed, only the hand wash is open and that too with a restricted flow” Krupa Ranjani an employee working in ELCOT SEZ told WION. Rahul Pareek who works for a firm in Kandanchavady said, “the new floor that was inaugurated at our premises uses automatic taps. Even on existing taps, the water flow has been decreased to ensure judicious use”. Though Chennai has endured and overcome the peak summer heat all-though May, there seems to be no let up in the temperature in June with mercury hovering around 41 C. With wells, reservoirs and water sources in the vicinity of the city drying up, options are running out and all that the city can do is to hope for rains.

Companies along Chennai’s IT corridor ratchet up measures to reduce water consumption amid severe shortage

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