Nvidia has unveiled its latest water-saving technology in data centers, promising to cut usage by pumping warmer coolant through servers. But as tech giants like Nvidia increasingly power their operations with fossil fuels, the overall water consumption for AI stays stubbornly high.

The company claims it can now run its facilities without new water intake, a claim that’s hotly debated outside its own walls. Despite this, the primary issue is the vast amount of water used to generate electricity and manufacture chips – factors Nvidia doesn’t address in its solution.

In most climates, air can absorb heat from passive radiators at 45°C without needing water. But with fossil fuels powering many data centers, the total water footprint remains significant. Coal plants alone use up to 2.2 liters of water per kilowatt-hour, and natural gas isn’t far behind.

Renewables offer a cooler path forward – wind and solar consume just 0.01 and 0.03 liters of water per kilowatt-hour respectively. Yet, despite growing demand for clean energy, fossil fuels will still dominate data center power needs in the coming years, ensuring that Nvidia’s water-saving efforts are only part of the solution.