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OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has defended the environmental impact of ChatGPT, asserting that each query consumes a surprisingly small amount of water – approximately one-fifteenth of a teaspoon. This claim accompanies Altman’s estimate that each ChatGPT query requires roughly 0.34 watt-hours of electricity. He envisions a future where the economic cost of AI intelligence is directly proportional to its electricity consumption. Altman’s statements arrive as the environmental footprint of AI, particularly its energy and water demands, faces increasing scrutiny. While Altman paints a picture of efficiency, some research suggests AI’s energy consumption could approach levels comparable to Bitcoin mining, and other analyses point to significantly higher water usage figures, creating a debate over the true sustainability of AI.