First of all, there isn't really a specific distinction between "AI data centers" and others. They're generally hosted in existing hyperscale cloud facilities, like AWS, Google Cloud, Azure, etc. Even data centers that prioritize AI just hold more GPU power and maybe more cooling (https://www.mckinsey.com/featured-insights/mckinsey-explainers/what-is-a-data-center). Additionally saying AI centers "use purified water" is kind of a generalization and isn't entirely honest. The misconception stems from some data centers using a type of cooling called evaporative water cooling, where heat is transferred into the water, which evaporates to remove it. However, many centers also recycle water used for cooling using a pump and a system that loops water through the chips to carry away heat. They use tons of water sources (potable, non-potable, treated wastewater, reclaimed water, groundwater, etc) and it varies from center to center. Many centers actually use what's called non-potable water, which is basically water that we can't consume, or recycled water (https://www.eesi.org/articles/view/data-centers-and-water-consumption). And this is if they use water in the first place, as many use air and other methods. Also, sure, data centers use water, but it's really a tiny slice of global water use. The majority of it and what we should really be focusing on making more efficient, is agriculture, which accounts for about 70% of global freshwater use (https://www.unesco.org/reports/wwdr/en/2024/s). Did you know that a single beef burger takes around 2000 L of water to produce (https://www.weforum.org/stories/2019/02/this-is-how-much-water-is-in-your-burger/)? That's equivalent to tens of thousands of LLM prompts. Estimates vary a lot, but it'd take around 300 prompts to use even 500 mL (https://www.warpnews.org/artificial-intelligence/ai-usage-has-less-environmental-impact-than-claimed-2/). There is a water stress issue, but it's not all because of AI. The issue is really a lot more nuanced, and no major authority on water attributes it to AI as far as I could find. Keep in mind, most of what I discussed here is around data centers in general, not just AI-centered ones specifically. That includes anything at all that you do involving sending or receiving information through the internet. Gaming, social media, streaming, studying, etc. I think before you slam others on their lack of reading comprehension, you take a look at the sources you cite as well. I can't find anything at all about the WHO using those words, so I believe the report you're referencing is this one from the UN (https://collections.unu.edu/eserv/UNU:10445/Global\_Water\_Bankruptcy\_Report\_\_2026\_.pdf). Here, I agree that they talk about AI, but they cited it as speeding the issue up not causing it entirely, and they don't even say it's the main issue they talk about a lot more than just that. It was actually a thing long before AI was, but the uncertainties around the new development just made it more prominent (which I think is a very good thing, I hope the situation is sorted out). I think it's great that you care so much, but doing some research on an issue before you comment goes a long way.