Kevin O'Leary's Water Use Comparison for AI Data Centers Sparks Controversy
Kevin O'Leary claims that modern data centers consume water similar to golf courses, as part of his defense of the Stratos project in Utah. However, projections indicate that data center water usage may surpass that of golf courses by 2027, raising concerns about resource allocation amidst growing AI demands.
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O'Leary asserts that new data centers use about 449 million gallons of water daily, compared to 2.08 billion gallons by US golf courses. This comparison is challenged by critics who note that while golf course water consumption remains stable or declines, data center demand is increasing rapidly due to AI workloads.
Projections suggest that by 2028, data center water use could reach 590 billion gallons, eclipsing golf's 425 billion gallons. Utah's Governor signed Executive Order 2026-03 to set higher development standards for data centers, emphasizing water resource protection.
Local communities express concerns about over-extraction from aquifers, while O'Leary faces legal challenges for claims about protestor funding. The debate continues over the ecological and social impacts of expanding data center infrastructure amidst rising water needs.
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