{
  "id": 5954085,
  "title": "Sam Altman on concerns over AI water use: 38,000 ChatGPT queries use as much as 1 almond",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/06/sam-altman-on-concerns-over-ai-water-use-38-000-chatgpt-queries-use",
  "topic": "ai",
  "section": "AI",
  "published": "2026-09-06T10:03:20.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Hindustan Times - World News",
    "slug": "hindustan-times-world-news",
    "url": "https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/sam-altman-on-concerns-over-ai-water-use-38-000-chatgpt-queries-use-as-much-as-1-almond-101788687134382.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has responded to concerns over the water consumption of AI data centers by comparing the water used to power 38,000 ChatGPT queries to the amount needed for a single almond. During an appearance on the \"Sources\" podcast, Altman stated that running a simple ChatGPT query is equivalent to running a shower for six hours. However, he acknowledged that modern data centers use significantly less water than evaporative cooling systems, which they had largely abandoned. Altman dismissed online criticism of data centers' water usage as a \"robust meme\" and argued that such claims lacked \"any scrutiny.\"",
  "summary": "Altman made the comments while discussing the backlash against AI companies during an appearance on Tuesday’s episode of the new “Sources” podcast.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Tom's Guide",
        "title": "Should you feel guilty using ChatGPT? We just fact-checked Sam Altman's wild almond claim",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/03/should-you-feel-guilty-using-chatgpt-we-just-fact-checked-sam-altmans",
        "published": "2026-09-03T20:07:03.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Times of India",
        "title": "Sam Altman denies one ChatGPT query uses 6hr shower water, gives almond example",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/04/sam-altman-denies-one-chatgpt-query-uses-6hr-shower-water-gives",
        "published": "2026-09-04T11:39:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}