What AI data centres really mean for Australia's water supply

You may have seen some of the alarming headlines and viral statistics about artificial intelligence (AI) data centres in Australia. Whether it’s the amount of water they consume to keep their servers cool or their potential impacts on our environment, none of it is particularly reassuring.

But how much is true?

I want to cut through some of this noise by testing a number of these claims against Australian industry, utility and policy evidence.

That means understanding why these facilities need water at all, where the real pressure sits, whether those viral per-query...