A new report cautions that the water and energy consumption of artificial intelligence data centers is rapidly increasing. Researchers estimate this consumption could soon equal the annual water needs of 1.3 billion people. The report stresses the need for nuanced discussion regarding AI’s environmental impact, moving beyond solely focusing on energy use. The substantial water requirements are driven by the cooling systems necessary to prevent data centers from overheating. Experts are calling for greater transparency and sustainable practices within the AI industry. The findings highlight a potentially significant, and often overlooked, environmental cost associated with the growth of AI technologies. Further investigation and mitigation strategies are deemed crucial.