As societies evolve, we discover new innovations to make complicated tasks more simplistic, and add convenience to our lives. However, what happens when the prioritization of that simplicity impacts the sustainability of our future? 

Sustainability is the practice of ensuring that what is used now can be used the same for later generations, and as of now, it’s being threatened. Seasonal and chronic droughts in areas lacking the proper resources and weather to combat it. As of this week, areas in Nevada, Arizona, Colorado, and New Mexico experienced a worsening drought. Measures have been taken to limit using more water than necessary for day to day tasks in various areas, like shorter showers, specific times to water lawns, efficiency and conservation, and reusing wastewater. However, people have been wondering why necessities are specifically being targeted, but there is rarely any mention of AI usage. There are whole power plants for the usage of AI draining water as a collage system. The reason why these plants need water is because they can very easily over heat from generating so much electricity. Yet another problematic consequence of having these energy hungry units. 

Large tech companies such as Amazon, Google, and Meta have been in a rush to create plants before their competition beats them to the chase. The Amazon company claims they’re being sustainable by prioritizing energy efficiency. As of August 14th, 2025, Amazon stated,  “In 2019, we set a goal to match all of the electricity consumed across Amazon’s global operations—including our data centers, corporate buildings, grocery stores and fulfillment centers—with 100% renewable energy by 2030. Today, we’re proud to share that we’ve met that goal seven years ahead of schedule. To get there, we’ve become the largest corporate purchaser of renewable energy in the world for five years running, according to Bloomberg NEF, and have Invested billions of dollars in 600+ renewable energy projects globally, which together can generate enough energy to power the equivalent of more than 8.3 million U.S. homes.” –Amazon Staff

Despite the measures being taken to reserve energy and water use, there are concerns that have yet to be shaken. “Power-hungry data centers that provide computing power for artificial intelligence and crypto currency will push U.S. electricity consumption to record highs in 2025 and 2026”. –EIA (Energy Information Administration) So this question remains; how sustainable are these practices if damaging results of excessive water usage are still being seen?