B2 — Upper Intermediate
Over one billion messages are sent to AI chatbots every day, and every interaction requires water to support the data centers that power these systems.
As AI use continues to grow, experts are raising concerns about its increasing demand for freshwater resources.
Watch the video to learn why AI uses water and why its water consumption is expected to increase in the future.
Vocabulary Questions:
- What does “to chuck in” mean? “ChatGPT is just one AI bot. Chuck in Gemini, DeepSeek, Claude, and others.” Use the phrase in a sentence. Give a synonym.
- What does “striking though it is” mean? ”Striking though it is, some experts are more than a little skeptical of Sam Altman’s estimate on water usage.” Use the idiom in a sentence. Give a synonym.
- What do the terms “oriented task” and “backup-oriented task” mean in AI? ”Can we launch satellites that can at least do some more backup-oriented or other oriented tasks? ” Use the terms in sentences.
Discussion Questions:
- What are the potential environmental consequences of AI’s water consumption?
- Should tech companies be required to disclose how much water their AI systems use? Why or why not?
- What solutions could help reduce the water usage of AI technologies?
- How can governments balance technological innovation with environmental sustainability?
- Do you think the benefits of AI outweigh its environmental costs? Explain your reasoning.