South by Southwest (SXSW) has evolved far beyond its roots in music and film—emerging as a compelling hub for scientific dialogue. This year’s conference drew increasing interest from chemists, academics, and industry professionals eager to showcase innovations across climate, energy, synthetic biology, and water stewardship. Chemical & Engineering News’ (C&EN) Craig Bettenhausen shares climate science is inherently multidisciplinary – we all have to work together, and be able to communicate to each other.

On How Today’s Factories are Turning Green

“Every time you put a query into ChatGPT, a cup and half of water is consumed,” said Prakash Govindan, cofounder of the water treatment firm Gradiant. “At the rate at which ChatGPT is getting used, by 2027—just ChatGPT, not all AI—is going to consume more water than the United Kingdom.”

Govindan said modern recycling technology can let AI providers and semiconductor makers reuse 99% of their water. It’s both an ethical choice and becoming a regulatory requirement in water-stressed areas like Austin and Arizona where there’s massive tech sector investment, he said. “The reason we are able to deploy at this rate, the reason we are growing at 100% every year over the last 5 years, is we save clients money.”

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