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AI-driven data center boom raises water use concerns and reshapes European market
Artificial‑intelligence workloads are set to quadruple global data‑center capacity by 2035, with AI’s share of total load rising from roughly 20 % today to about 60 % (Roland Berger study). The study also notes that Europe’s share of installed capacity will fall from about 13 % to 10 % by 2030, while the United States already hosts more data‑centers than Western Europe and Asia combined.
Large AI‑focused facilities consume vast amounts of water for cooling. An Austrian prototype could need up to 18 million litres per day, and Google’s Pryor, Oklahoma centre uses about 1.1 billion gallons annually – roughly the yearly water use of 10 000 U.S. households. Researchers highlight a lack of transparency in cooling‑water discharge practices and growing public opposition, with protests in the United States and Austria prompting calls for moratoria by senators.
In Poland, AI‑related job postings rose by about 33 000 in 2025 to near 80 000, with a 62 % salary premium. Companies listed on the Warsaw Stock Exchange such as ASBiS and Grupa AB are expected to benefit from the AI and data‑centre expansion, reinforced by a JLL report that sees Poland strengthening its position as an attractive location for data‑centre investment.
Entities
ASBiS · Google · Grupa AB · Poland · Roland Berger
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] In Poland AI‑related job postings grew by about 33 000 in 2025, reaching roughly 80 000 total. egarwolin.pl
- [○ 1 SOURCE] UK data centres currently consume about 6.6 million litres of water per day. osnews.pl
- [○ 1 SOURCE] If data‑centre capacity triples, daily water demand could rise to roughly 42 million litres. osnews.pl
- [○ 1 SOURCE] AI‑skill positions in Poland receive a 62 % salary premium over non‑AI positions. egarwolin.pl
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Water UK says government forecasts omit data‑centre water consumption. osnews.pl
- [○ 1 SOURCE] During heatwaves UK data centres may need up to 14 million litres of water per day. osnews.pl
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Polish listed companies ASBiS and Grupa AB have seen revenue growth from AI and data‑centre demand. strefainwestorow.pl
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Low‑quality AI‑generated text is being described as “AI slop”.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] JLL reports that Poland is strengthening its position as an attractive location for data‑centre investment. strefainwestorow.pl
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Polish listed companies ASBiS and Grupa AB are expected to benefit from the AI and data‑centre boom. strefainwestorow.pl
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Data centres require large volumes of water for cooling, which governments often overlook. osnews.pl
- [○ 1 SOURCE] A 23‑year‑old marketing coordinator reportedly consumes more water than an AI data centre. theshovel.com.au