Tag: Water

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Water scarcity and its impact on semiconductor production

Water scarcity

Water scarcity is a pressing global issue and has far-reaching consequences across various industries. One sector significantly affected is semiconductor manufacturing.

How does water scarcity pose a threat to the production of essential microchips.

Water in Semiconductor Manufacturing

Ultra-pure water is a critical resource in semiconductor fabrication plants (fabs). It is used for cleaning, cooling, and various processing steps during chip production.

Microchips power our devices—computers, smartphones, sensors, and LEDs—all of which rely on water-intensive manufacturing processes.

Global Water Scarcity

Freshwater availability is unevenly distributed worldwide. While oceans contain 97% of water (mostly saline), accessible freshwater constitutes only a small fraction.

Approximately four billion people experience severe water scarcity for at least one month annually, and half a billion face it year-round.

Taiwan’s Drought and Chip Production

Taiwan, a semiconductor manufacturing hub, faces a severe drought. Over 20% of global microchips are produced there.

Water shortages threaten supply chains, potentially impacting chip production.

Cost and Sustainability

Creating fully self-sufficient local supply chains would cost $1 trillion. Such self-reliance could increase semiconductor costs by up to 65%.

Urgent action is needed to ensure sustainable water management in fabs, as chips control everything from cars to appliances.

In conclusion, water scarcity poses a real danger to semiconductor production. Addressing this challenge requires strategic planning, conservation efforts, and global cooperation.

AI a problem or a solution?

Will the problem of water scarcity exacerbate the uneven distribution of water around the world as the rich have easier access to the precious resource.

Will the explosion of AI tech push the imbalance – water is a basic necessity to maintain human life. Will AI have a hand in controlling the distribution of water – even for its own needs?

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Is there a water crisis looming and could BIG Tech make things worse?

Thirsty data centre

Water is a precious Earth resource. It is becoming increasingly scarce due to climate change, population growth, pollution and waste. Without water we are nothing.

According to some sources, Big Tech and AI are contributing to the water crisis by using large amounts of water to cool their data systems and AI computations.

Researchers estimate that Microsoft used 1.7 billion gallons of water for AI alone in 2022, a 34% increase from 2021. Google also reported a 20% increase in water usage, mostly due to its AI work. One of the most water-intensive AI models is ChatGPT, which is estimated to use half a litre of water for every series of prompts.

These numbers are alarming, considering that water is a finite and vital resource for humans and ecosystems.

ChatGPT is estimated to use the equivalent of one 16-ounce bottle of water (approx’ half a litre) for every 20-50 queries according to a study by Shaolei Ren, an associate professor of electrical and computer engineering at the University of California.

BIG Tech aware of environmental impact

Some tech companies are aware of the environmental impact of their AI activities and are trying to find ways to reduce their water consumption and carbon footprint. For example, Microsoft has pledged to become water positive, carbon negative, and waste-free by 2030. 

Is there a water crisis looming and could BIG Tech make things worse?

Google has also set a goal to operate on 24/7 carbon-free energy by 2030. OpenAI, the creator of ChatGPT, has stated that it is working on improving the efficiency of its AI models. Some possible solutions include using renewable energy sources, developing better algorithms and hardware, and locating data centres in colder climates.

Too much

Some argue that Big Tech and AI are using too much water, and that they should be regulated. They should be held accountable for their environmental impact.

Others may contend that Big Tech and AI are providing valuable services and innovations and they are taking steps to mitigate their water usage and become more sustainable.

Chatbots and AI share a thirst for water
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Science fiction becomes science fact for India

India lands on the moon

Inspirational achievement, as India becomes only the fourth country in the world to successfully land on the moon and the first at the south pole

India became a new national superpower in space on 23rd August 2023, landing its Chandrayaan-3 mission safely on the moon’s unexplored south pole. The Chandrayaan-3 spacecraft launched last month and touch downed on the lunar surface around 13:34 GMT.

The Chandrayaan-3 spacecraft launched last month and touch downed on the lunar surface around 13:34 GMT. The feat makes India the fourth country, after Russia, the U.S. and China – to land on the moon, and the first to land on one of the moon’s lunar poles.

South pole is the place to explore

The lunar south pole has emerged as a place of recent exploration interest thanks to recent discoveries about traces of water ice on the moon. India previously attempted a lunar south pole landing in September 2019, but a software failure caused the Chandrayaan-2 mission to crash into the surface.

The south pole is the place to be right now as it is such a very interesting, historical, scientific and geologic area that a lot of countries are trying to get at that can serve as a base for future exploration.

The discovery of water on the south pole of the moon is important for future exploration, as it could serve as a source of fuel for rockets and spacecraft.

Days prior to Chandrayaan-3′s scheduled landing, Russia attempted to land its first spacecraft on the moon in almost 50 years. But the Luna-25 mission crashed into the lunar surface on Saturday, with Russian space agency Roscosmos confirming the spacecraft spun out of control.

To infinity and beyond

During a June visit from India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he signed agreements alongside President Joe Biden to join the Artemis Accords and further collaborate on missions between Indian Space Research Organisation – ISRO and NASA. Next year, the space agencies are expected to work together to fly Indian astronauts to the International Space Station.

Moon mission
No looking back! India becomes only 4th country in the world to land on the moon’s south pole August 23rd 2023

India has also done more with less than its top global counterparts, with ISRO’s annual budget a fraction of NASA’s. In 2020, ISRO estimated the Chandrayaan-3 mission would cost about $75 million. The Covid pandemic delayed the Chandrayaan-3 mission from launching in 2021.

The lander – called Vikram after Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) founder Vikram Sarabhai – carries within its belly the 26kg rover named Pragyaan, the Sanskrit word for wisdom.

One of the mission’s major goals is to hunt for water-based ice, which scientists say could support human habitation on the Moon in future and allow for easier future space exploration.