A top Nvidia executive says water concerns surrounding data centers could be largely addressed by the company's next generation of AI infrastructure. Why it matters: It's a bold claim with high stakes by the world's dominant chip maker . Data centers are facing growing scrutiny for their use of energy and water, and Nvidia's chips are helping drive the AI boom behind much of that demand. Driving the news: Nvidia announced Monday at London Climate Week that its latest AI system can be fully cooled with liquid warm enough to reduce the need for additional chilling equipment. - "The water consumption challenge for data centers is largely solved," said Josh Parker, Nvidia's chief sustainability officer, in an interview last week ahead of his…
Amazon says its data centers use water more efficiently than the industry average and is urging others to improve as scrutiny of data centers intensifies. Why it matters: Water use has emerged as one of the biggest pressure points in the AI data center buildout, pushing companies like Amazon to publicly defend their efforts. Driving the news: Amazon revealed Thursday it was 75% of the way toward its 2030 goal — first set in 2022 — to replenish more water into communities with its data centers than it's consuming. - The tech giant also said its data centers are seven times more water-efficient than the industry average. Friction point: Roughly 70% of Americans oppose building data centers in their communities, with water use for…
Facing mounting scrutiny over data center water consumption, Google on Wednesday released a set of guidelines it says should become the industry standard. Why it matters: Communities across the U.S. are increasingly pushing back against new data centers, often citing concerns about water use alongside rising power prices, local air pollution and noise. - Google argues that better practices — and more transparency — can help ease those fears. Driving the news: Google's framework calls for: - Returning more water to local watersheds than its data centers consume by 2030. - Avoiding water-intensive cooling in more water-stressed regions. - Helping fund local water infrastructure upgrades. - Pursuing alternatives such as reclaimed…
The AI revolution presents "the most profound moment of change in our lifetimes" and Americans are rightly concerned about how that will affect them, Sen. David McCormick (R-Pa.) told Axios' Mike Allen at a News Shapers event Wednesday. Why it matters: McCormick is an AI champion on Capitol Hill, but he acknowledged that it comes with risks to Americans, the environment and economy that must be mitigated. What he's saying: McCormick argued Americans have more money in their pockets under President Trump, but he acknowledged that consumers don't feel that because housing, energy and health care costs are on the rise. - "Energy demand is going to triple in the next 15 years," McCormick said, and Congress needs to ensure those costs don't…
Nvidia's chips are improving at such a staggering pace that it defies any historical comparison. Why it matters: Without these gains — which are drawing increased attention as AI transforms society — physics would slam the brakes on the data center boom. Driving the news: Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang said Monday he expects the company to reap "at least" $1 trillion in revenue for its newest chips through 2027. - It posted record sales and earnings last month , fueled by skyrocketing orders from Big Tech data center companies. By the numbers: Nvidia has historically dominated the market. But its cumulative share has dropped from 100% in the first quarter of 2022 to 65% in the fourth quarter of last year, according to the research and…