The Wall Street Journal has launched a quiz that challenges readers to test their knowledge of data centers and their environmental footprint. As artificial intelligence embeds itself across workplaces, schools, and homes, the physical infrastructure behind those models demands attention. Data centers—energy-intensive facilities that train and power generative AI—are multiplying to meet surging demand.

Questions probe where data centers cluster in the U.S., how much electricity and water they consume, and broader environmental impacts. These aren't trivial details. The expansion of AI workloads is driving a real estate boom for server farms, raising questions about utility strain and resource consumption that investors, policymakers, and tech firms can't afford to ignore.

The quiz arrives as utilities and regulators grapple with permitting new facilities. Generative AI alone is reshaping power demand forecasts across multiple states. For companies racing to secure capacity, understanding the true cost—beyond capital—matters. Water and electricity aren't afterthoughts; they're becoming deal-breakers in site selection.