Google is building another data center in Texas that will use advanced air-cooling technology to limit water consumption. The company claims water use will be restricted to critical campus operations like kitchens, representing a significant shift in approach for AI infrastructure. This follows Google's previously announced two-year $40 billion investment in Texas data centers.

These sustainability commitments come amid growing community pushback against data center construction nationwide. Critics argue these facilities are raising electric bills, worsening greenhouse gas emissions, and consuming gargantuan amounts of fresh water. The timing is notable as OpenAI CEO Sam Altman recently dismissed water concerns as fake, comparing AI training to human energy consumption.

Google is also touting 7,800 megawatts of net energy generation it has contracted with utility providers to add to the Texas grid. While this represents progress, the broader debate continues as tech leaders like Tesla CEO Elon Musk propose space-based data centers as an alternative. However, experts warn that orbital facilities could have devastating environmental downsides. The water conservation claims mark Google's attempt to address mounting criticism while expanding its AI infrastructure footprint.