Restrict water usage for means of cooling servers for generative artificial intelligence.

 

 

The following bill follows the purpose to reduce water pollution and environmental harm that is produced by generative

artificial intelligence by a total ban on water based cooling systems for generative AI. Preventing companies from using

water as means for cooling will lower water pollution in the environment.

 

Large language models (LLMs) require large systems in order to operate. These systems compute, train, and run the LLM.

These systems heat up to extremely hot temperatures and due to the heat the LLM will not be able to function without an

extensive and high water consuming cooling system. The average conversation between a LLM like ChatGPT is considered to

be 20-50 questions, which consumes tens to hundreds of milliliters of water based on . A AI generated photo from a model

like DALL-E also uses around the same amount.The water these AI’s use are contaminated once used and become undrinkable

wastewater. The evaporation during the cooling leaves polluted wastewater in the air that is not able to be sent to

waste water facilities for treating. These facilities are where most wastewater produced is sent, however some of this

water is treated on site and either reused or sent into natural bodies of water. However sending this water out to these

facilities or back into the water is dangerous as it needs exponential monitoring and perfect treatment if on sight

before being sent into water. The water sent to these facilities however are typically in large quantities, which can

strain the facility as most facilities were not designed for the large quantities of water these AI produce.

 

Generative artificial intelligence (Generative AI) is defined as man made intelligence with the ability to craft images,

text, and videos. A data center which is used to train and host the Generative AI, is a facility housing computer. Data

centers require cooling systems, which are machinery used to regulate temperature on other machinery, such as used on AI

data centers. The Water Usage for Cooling refers to the consumption or withdrawal of fresh or municipal water inside of

these systems. Waste water, which is produced from cooling systems, is contaminated water containing- minerals,

chemicals, etc.

 

If enacted into law, this bill would require small initial funding of 200,000$ for extra inspection for water system

cooling from health/workplace inspectors. Funding for this would be taken from the state general fund to the Minnesota

Pollution Control Agency (MPCA).

 

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) is the sole authority responsible for enforcing this Act if it is enacted

into law. If the MPCA finds a water based cooling system being used by a generative AI company, they will issue a formal

Notice of Non-Compliance. The company is given a period of thirty days to remove and install an approved water system.

If the systems are found still operating after this period, the company will face a 5,000$ fine of every two days after

the period until its verified that the systems have been removed

 

The bill, if signed, is to be enacted three months after signing into law.