Microsoft Projects Data Center Water Use to Double by 2030 Due to AI Expansion

Microsoft Projects Data Center Water Use to Double by 2030 Due to AI Expansion

Microsoft is internally projecting that water consumption at its data centers will more than double by 2030 compared to 2020 levels, according to the New York Times. The increase is being driven by the company’s expansion of artificial intelligence infrastructure.

According to the NYT report, this dramatic increase in water usage will occur despite Microsoft’s previous pledges to conserve water. The projected growth will affect regions already facing water shortages, raising concerns about the environmental impact of AI infrastructure expansion.

Data centers require substantial amounts of water for cooling systems to prevent servers from overheating. As companies like Microsoft scale up their AI capabilities—which demand significantly more computing power than traditional applications—the associated water requirements grow proportionally.

The internal projections highlight a tension between Microsoft’s environmental commitments and the resource-intensive nature of AI technology. The company has not publicly detailed specific plans to address the anticipated surge in water consumption or mitigate its impact on water-stressed regions.

This disclosure comes as the technology industry faces increasing scrutiny over the environmental costs of the AI boom, particularly regarding energy consumption and natural resource usage at massive data center facilities.