AI water use vs. almonds: a data-driven reality check

CalMatters’ fact-check finds Sam Altman’s claim that 38,000 ChatGPT queries equal the water used to grow a single almond can’t be verified with public data. Public data on data-center water use is sparse and highly variable, but broader estimates show data centers using more water over time (about 17 billion gallons in 2023, with projections up to 150 billion gallons from 2025–2030) and peak-demand during heat waves can strain local supplies. California is weighing bills to require transparency on data-center water sources and usage, despite opposition from the tech industry.