What does the Cloud drink? with Sarah Houston

What does the Cloud drink? with Sarah Houston

June 19, 2026 · 39 min

About this episode

Sarah Houston discusses the environmental impact of AI data centers on local water supplies.

Every time you run an AI query, a pump turns on somewhere. In Memphis, Tennessee, that pump draws from one of the purest aquifers in the world. That same water supply is already threatened by a century of industrial pollution. Community organizer Sarah Houston shares what xAI's five-million-gallon-a-day habit is costing the communities closest to Colossus. Then, a talk from Ayşe Coskun on who pays the price when development comes to town.  Talk featured The Story You're Not Hearing About AI Data Centers | Ayşe Coskun Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

People in this episode

Host: TED Tech

Guest: Sarah Houston

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Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: xAI

Places: Memphis, Tennessee, Colossus

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