Fifteen-year-old Ania Udofia from Calgary has earned an honorable mention in the World of 8 Billion International Student Video Contest for a one-minute project that examines how artificial intelligence data centers consume vast amounts of water. The Calgary student was among 5,000 entrants this year, and her entry stood out by exploring cooling methods used in these facilities and proposing alternatives that could reduce waste.
Udofia researched, filmed and edited the video herself after learning that some data centers rely on evaporative cooling, which can use up to 5 million gallons of water daily. She noted the inefficiency of this approach and turned her attention to liquid immersion techniques that submerge servers in non-conductive fluids, thereby eliminating the need for water altogether.
"I realized all that water is being wasted because of this specific strategy that they are using which is evaporative cooling," Udofia said. "And that there are other ways that we get to mitigate this through immersive cooling that I did more research about."
The teen had already been looking into positive applications of AI before deciding to investigate its downsides, including effects on the environment and energy sector. Her project earned her an honorable mention along with a $300 prize at the international competition.
Richard Zhao, an AI expert from the University of Calgary’s computer science department, provided context on current cooling practices. He explained that some facilities recycle water by cooling the data center and reusing the supply, while others rely on running water systems. Zhao also pointed out that cooling methods often vary depending on the size of the data center.
Udofia’s work arrives as data centers supporting AI operations expand rapidly around the world. Reports indicate that evaporative cooling remains common in many locations because it efficiently manages heat generated by servers, yet critics highlight the strain this places on local water supplies, particularly in drought-prone regions.
According to the contest organizers, entries were judged on creativity, accuracy and the student’s ability to communicate complex issues clearly. Udofia’s focus on practical solutions rather than simply describing the problem helped distinguish her submission from others.
The student expressed surprise at the scale of water usage once she began digging into the numbers. She said the findings prompted her to look beyond the benefits of AI and consider trade-offs that often receive less public attention.
Officials at the University of Calgary noted that experts like Zhao regularly consult on technology infrastructure questions, including energy and resource demands. Zhao’s comments aligned with Udofia’s research by confirming that recycling systems and alternative cooling fluids are already under discussion in academic and industry circles.
While immersion cooling has shown promise in smaller-scale tests, larger data centers have been slower to adopt the method because of upfront costs and the need to retrofit existing equipment. Udofia’s video highlighted these challenges while emphasizing the long-term water savings possible with the switch.
Local educators in Calgary said student projects like Udofia’s reflect growing interest among young people in the intersection of technology and sustainability. The contest itself encourages participants to address global population and resource issues through short videos.
Udofia plans to continue exploring environmental topics related to emerging technologies. She indicated that the award has encouraged her to share her findings with classmates and potentially expand the project into a longer presentation.
Industry observers have reported that water consumption at hyperscale data centers can vary widely based on location, climate and cooling technology. In areas with abundant water resources, evaporative methods remain cost-effective, while arid regions increasingly explore dry cooling or immersion alternatives.
The World of 8 Billion contest is organized annually to engage students in discussions about population growth and its effects on resources. This year’s entries covered topics ranging from urban planning to renewable energy, with Udofia’s AI-focused piece drawing particular notice for its timely subject matter.