Summary & Key Takeaways ​

• Hyperscalers face increasing pressure over data center water usage. • Google alone used 10.9 billion gallons in 2025, averaging 30 million gallons daily. • The Coachella Valley's 120 golf courses consume approximately 750,000 gallons per day each. • A proposal suggests hyperscalers buy and convert golf courses into public parks. • This could offset significant water consumption and promote sustainable hobbies like birdwatching.

Our Commentary ​

This is such a Simon Willison take, and I love it. We've been talking about AI's energy consumption, but the water usage often gets overlooked. The idea of converting golf courses is brilliantly provocative. It makes me wonder if there's a serious kernel of truth in this whimsical suggestion. It's a stark reminder of the real-world resources these digital behemoths consume.