Sam Altman would like remind you that humans use a lot of energy, too

Concerns surrounding the environmental impact of artificial intelligence are being actively debated, with OpenAI CEO Sam Altman addressing some of the most prominent criticisms this week during an event hosted by The Indian Express. Altman, who was in India for a major AI summit, offered a pointed response to claims of excessive water usage by AI systems.

Addressing Water Usage Concerns

Altman stated that anxieties about AI’s water consumption are “totally fake,” though he conceded that water usage was a legitimate issue when data centers relied on “evaporative cooling.” He specifically refuted claims circulating online, such as assertions that a single ChatGPT query requires 17 gallons of water, calling such statements “completely untrue” and “totally insane.”

Did You Know? Data centers have been linked to rising electricity prices, according to reports.

Energy Consumption: A Valid Concern

While dismissing the water usage claims, Altman acknowledged that energy consumption is a “fair” concern, but emphasized it’s the total energy use driven by the increasing global adoption of AI, not the energy required for each individual query. He believes a rapid transition to nuclear, wind, and solar energy sources is necessary to mitigate this impact.

Lack of Disclosure & Independent Study

Currently, there are no legal requirements mandating tech companies to publicly disclose their energy and water usage. Scientists are independently attempting to study these impacts. Altman also countered a claim, citing a conversation with Bill Gates, that a single ChatGPT query uses the equivalent of 1.5 iPhone battery charges, stating, “There’s no way it’s anything close to that much.”

Expert Insight: The lack of standardized reporting on energy and water usage by AI developers creates a challenge for accurate assessment and informed public discourse. This opacity could hinder efforts to develop sustainable AI practices.

A Broader Perspective on Energy Costs

Altman argued that discussions focusing solely on the energy needed to train AI models are “unfair.” He posited that the energy expenditure required to develop human intelligence is far greater, citing the 20 years of life and sustenance needed to “get smart.” He extended this comparison to the evolutionary history of humanity, suggesting that the collective learning of 100 billion people contributed to individual human intelligence.

Altman believes that, when considering the energy required for an AI to answer a question after training, compared to the energy expenditure of a human answering the same question, AI may already be more energy efficient. A Techcrunch event is scheduled for Boston, MA on June 9, 2026.

Frequently Asked Questions

What did Sam Altman say about water usage by AI?

Sam Altman stated that concerns about AI’s water usage are “totally fake,” noting that the issue was relevant when data centers used evaporative cooling, but is no longer significant.

What did Altman identify as a legitimate environmental concern related to AI?

Altman acknowledged that the total energy consumption of AI is a “fair” concern, given the increasing global use of AI systems.

How did Altman compare the energy cost of AI to that of human intelligence?

Altman argued that the energy required to train a human – including 20 years of life and sustenance – is far greater than the energy needed for AI to answer a question after its model is trained.

As AI continues to evolve and become more integrated into daily life, how might increased transparency regarding energy and water usage influence public perception and policy decisions?