Part 5/17:
Complexities abound: many AI training operations are powered by fossil fuels—methane turbines or extended lives for coal plants—and require significant water for cooling. OpenAI, for example, uses public drinking water in areas already suffering shortages, exacerbating local crises. Water is a critical, often overlooked resource, with many AI centers established in water-scarce regions like Uruguay and parts of the US, adding strain to vulnerable communities.