"Microsoft increased worldwide water consumption by a whopping 34 percent — up to almost 1.7 billion gallons annually — last year, which outside researchers told the AP is most likely due to increased AI training. That's dwarfed by Google, which used 5.6 billion gallons last year, a 20 percent jump that's also likely attributable to machine learning." Via Tech Won't Save Us. 

https://futurism.com/critics-microsoft-water-train-ai-drought 

 @6c43d82f 
AI, like cryptocurrency, is a resource hog, using much more than can be justified by the results. 

 @6c43d82f as if there could be less to admire about Microsoft. Somehow they always find new ways to suck. 

 @6c43d82f i would like to see a comparison with other industries (steel, chemical etc) to be able to evaluate whether that's problematic or the most problematic.