Google Water Use Raises Concerns While ChatGPT Fuels $37 Billion

Artificial intelligence is rapidly transforming various sectors, from education to enterprise, sparking both immense investment and critical discussions about its ethical implications and long-term impact. Universities across the United States are actively integrating AI into their curricula, developing policies to guide its use, and simultaneously tackling issues like academic dishonesty. This widespread adoption underscores AI's growing role as a foundational skill for future workforces. For instance, North Carolina universities like Duke and UNC Wilmington are teaching students how to leverage AI while also addressing its misuse for cheating, with professors establishing clear policies. The University of Missouri, or Mizzou, is piloting "Show-Me AI," a secure platform that protects student data and intellectual property, offering generative AI models like ChatGPT and enabling instructors to create custom teaching assistants. Similarly, the University of New Hampshire and St. Mary's University are embracing AI in classes, emphasizing ethical use and aligning it with their educational missions. The business world is experiencing a significant AI boom, with companies spending an estimated $37 billion on generative AI in 2025, a 3.2 times increase from the previous year. A substantial $19 billion of this investment went into user-friendly AI applications, driving immediate productivity gains. While some, like Howard Marks, question if this excitement signals a market bubble, others, including Eric Schmidt, argue that AI is "under hyped," with investments automating essential business functions rather than being speculative. Northland Capital Markets predicts this AI infrastructure boom will continue until mid-2027, though potential electricity and capital constraints could lead to a slowdown thereafter. Beyond enterprise, AI is reshaping diverse fields. It is revolutionizing trading by analyzing vast market data for execution algorithms and risk management, and it's transforming the San Francisco real estate market, boosting home prices as AI industry employees move in. Pioneering researcher Fei-Fei Li's startup, World Labs, is even developing AI-powered virtual worlds through its "Marble" platform, capable of generating infinite 3D environments. However, the rapid expansion of AI also brings significant concerns. Mike Peng, CEO of IDEO, warns that AI can produce "somewhat mediocre" designs, emphasizing the irreplaceable need for human creativity, taste, and empathy. High school teacher Darrin Ross highlights the environmental cost, noting that Google used 6 billion gallons of water in 2023 for its data centers, often in water-stressed regions. Ross also raises alarms about AI's potential to displace entry-level jobs, disproportionately affecting vulnerable communities. Addressing these evolving demands, New York Governor Kathy Hochul announced a $40 million investment in the Clean Energy Workforce. This funding includes $4 million specifically allocated to state organizations and universities, like SUNY at Buffalo and SUNY at Stony Brook, to train New Yorkers for high-demand careers in AI and advanced power systems, preparing the workforce for future clean energy jobs.

Key Takeaways

• Universities like Mizzou, UNH, Duke, UNC Wilmington, and St. Mary's are integrating AI into curricula, developing policies, and teaching ethical use while addressing academic dishonesty.
• Mizzou is piloting "Show-Me AI," a secure platform offering generative AI models like ChatGPT and custom teaching assistants, protecting student data.
• The enterprise generative AI market saw companies spend $37 billion in 2025, a 3.2x increase, with $19 billion directed towards user-friendly applications for productivity gains.
• Experts like Eric Schmidt believe AI is "under hyped" and not a bubble, with investments automating essential business functions, while Northland Capital Markets predicts the AI infrastructure boom will continue until mid-2027.
• AI is transforming various industries, including trading, San Francisco real estate, and the creation of virtual worlds, as seen with Fei-Fei Li's "Marble" platform.
• Concerns exist regarding AI's limitations in creativity, with IDEO CEO Mike Peng warning it can produce "somewhat mediocre" designs without human guidance.
• Environmental impacts of AI are a concern; Google used 6 billion gallons of water in 2023 for its data centers, often in water-stressed areas.
• High school teacher Darrin Ross warns about AI's potential to displace entry-level jobs, harming vulnerable students and communities.
• New York Governor Kathy Hochul announced a $40 million investment in the Clean Energy Workforce, including $4 million for AI and advanced power systems training at state organizations and universities.
• The future of AI involves humans partnering with AI, moving towards data-first strategies in fields like trading, and requiring human qualities like empathy and discernment in design.

North Carolina colleges teach AI use and fight cheating

North Carolina universities are teaching students how to use artificial intelligence while also dealing with its misuse for cheating. Duke University and UNC Wilmington report that AI-related academic dishonesty cases are happening, but not more than other forms of cheating. Aaron Lash Jr. from Duke and Chip Phillips from UNC Wilmington note that professors are creating clear AI policies. Some professors might switch to in-class assignments to prevent AI misuse on take-home work.

Mizzou tests Show-Me AI for secure learning

The University of Missouri, also known as Mizzou, is testing a new AI tool called Show-Me AI. The Artificial Intelligence Standing Committee, formed in January 2025, developed this tool to guide AI use in teaching and research. Show-Me AI is a secure platform that protects student data and intellectual property, unlike free online AI tools. It offers various generative AI models like ChatGPT and will allow instructors to create custom teaching assistants. Mizzou plans to roll out Show-Me AI to about 1,000 pilot users by the 2026 academic year.

UNH embraces AI in classes and sets new policies

The University of New Hampshire is actively bringing artificial intelligence into its courses. UNH leaders like Alexis Piñero-Benson and Michael Blackman emphasize clear policies for students to understand when AI use is allowed. Professor Ivaylo Nedyalkov encourages engineering students to use AI as a tool for editing and learning. The university believes students need to learn how to use AI ethically and productively, similar to how calculators became a foundational skill. This prepares students for future jobs where AI is commonly used.

St Marys University combines AI with faith learning

St. Mary's University is bringing artificial intelligence into its faith-based education, exploring how AI fits with Catholic teachings. Provost Jason Pierce leads a group creating a university-wide policy on AI use, covering student use, academic scholarship, and data privacy. Professors like Paul Uhlig are already using AI in their classes and researching its advancements. The university aims to teach students to use AI ethically and purposefully, aligning with its Marianist mission and commitment to caring for the Earth.

Enterprise AI market booms with $37 billion spend

The generative AI market in businesses is experiencing a rapid boom, not a bubble, according to Menlo's 2025 report. Companies spent $37 billion on generative AI in 2025, a 3.2 times increase from the previous year. Most of this money, $19 billion, went to user-friendly AI applications that offer immediate productivity gains. Businesses are choosing to buy AI solutions rather than build them, with 76% of AI use cases being purchased. AI deals also convert to production at nearly twice the rate of traditional software.

Howard Marks questions AI market bubble fears

Howard Marks from Oaktree Capital discusses whether the current excitement around artificial intelligence is a market bubble. He notes that transformative technologies often lead to periods of intense investment and widespread fears of a crash. Marks explains that bubbles follow a pattern where early success leads to envy and a fear of missing out, causing people to invest without enough caution. He suggests there are two types of potential bubbles: one in how AI companies act and another in how investors behave. Marks believes bubbles come from too much optimism about new developments.

Teacher warns about AI harms despite classroom benefits

Darrin Ross, a high school English teacher, argues that educators must teach students about the potential harms of artificial intelligence, not just its benefits. While many teachers show students how AI can improve writing and research, Ross questions the ethical line. He points out that AI's expansion uses vast natural resources, like the 6 billion gallons of water Google used in 2023 for data centers, often in water-stressed areas. Ross also worries that AI could replace entry-level jobs, harming vulnerable students and communities. He believes educators should not blindly accept AI's negative impacts as collateral damage.

AI trading transforms markets for modern investors

Artificial intelligence is revolutionizing trading by allowing machines to analyze vast amounts of market data. AI is already used in execution algorithms, risk management, and news analysis for institutional orders. Traders can use AI for assisted analysis, like recognizing chart patterns or scanning for specific conditions. AI can also generate trading signals or even fully automate trading with self-adjusting risk controls. The future of trading involves humans partnering with AI, moving from intuition-first decisions to data-first strategies that combine multiple signals.

Eric Schmidt says AI is not a bubble

Eric Schmidt believes that artificial intelligence is not a market bubble and is actually "under hyped." He argues that the huge investments in AI, totaling hundreds of billions of dollars, are for automating essential business functions like billing and accounting. Schmidt sees these investments as crucial for modern companies, not just speculative spending. He also highlights AI's potential to solve major challenges in medicine, climate change, and science.

IDEO CEO warns AI can make design mediocre

Mike Peng, CEO of the design consultancy IDEO, warns that artificial intelligence can produce "somewhat mediocre" results for designers. He explained at Fortune Brainstorm Design that while AI excels at pattern recognition and iteration, it lacks the human creativity needed for truly innovative work. Peng believes human qualities like taste, empathy, and discernment are essential to guide AI and achieve unique designs. He encourages designers to experiment and play with AI to enhance their skills, focusing on human-centered design to create experiences AI cannot achieve alone.

AI transforms San Francisco real estate market

Artificial intelligence is changing every part of the real estate business in San Francisco, from buyers to agents. AI is helping to boost the city's downtown and housing markets, with many AI industry employees buying homes. Experts like Kevin Kropp note a rise in single-family home prices, with some selling for over $2,100 per square foot. Eric Jacobs from Anywhere Integrated Services advises real estate professionals to learn about AI's benefits and risks, including potential biases. Despite AI's advancements, human experts like Realtors and inspectors remain crucial for navigating complex deals.

Fei-Fei Li plans AI-powered virtual worlds

Pioneering AI researcher Fei-Fei Li's new startup, World Labs, aims to create AI-powered virtual worlds. Her platform, Marble, can generate infinite, on-demand 3D environments from descriptions, photos, or videos. While these virtual worlds are still developing and can sometimes appear distorted, they offer immediate value for design professionals. Li's bigger goal is to achieve "spatial intelligence," allowing AI to understand and reason about the physical world. This technology could also benefit fields like architecture, engineering, robotics, science, and education, despite challenges in gathering enough training data for complex applications like humanoid robots.

New York invests $40 million in clean energy and AI

New York Governor Kathy Hochul announced a $40 million investment into the Clean Energy Workforce. This funding, approved by the New York Power Authority, will boost nuclear energy and artificial intelligence training over four years. Technical high schools, colleges, and universities will receive funds to develop programs for advanced nuclear energy. Additionally, $4 million will go to six specific state organizations and universities, including SUNY at Buffalo and SUNY at Stony Brook, to train New Yorkers for high-demand careers in AI and advanced power systems. This initiative aims to prepare workers for future jobs in the clean energy sector.

Northland predicts AI infrastructure boom continues until 2027

Northland Capital Markets predicts that the AI infrastructure boom will continue until mid-2027, despite concerns about a potential bubble. Analyst Gus Richard states that demand for AI infrastructure remains strong through 2026, with chipmakers having clear visibility into demand. While US electricity shortages might cause some project delays in 2026, sovereign demand is expected to fill these gaps. Northland forecasts that electricity and capital constraints will worsen in 2027, potentially leading to a multi-year slowdown before a recovery. The firm also highlights edge AI, like AI-enabled wearables, as a growing opportunity.

Sources

• North Carolina universities adapt to artificial intelligence in the classroom
• The University of Missouri is testing Show-Me AI and other artificial intelligence initiatives
• How UNH is Adapting to AI
• St. Mary’s University blends AI, faith-based education
• 2025: The State of Generative AI in the Enterprise
• Is It a Bubble?
• TEACHER VOICE: Students must be taught about the potential harms of AI along with its benefits
• AI Trading: The Revolution You Can't Ignore for CME_MINI:NQ1! by officialjackofalltrades
• Eric Schmidt On Why AI Is Currently Not A Bubble
• AI can lead to ‘somewhat mediocre’ results for designers, warns CEO of design consultancy IDEO
• AIE: Artificial intelligence everywhere in real estate - The Voice of San Francisco
• Inside Fei-Fei Li’s Plan to Build AI-Powered Virtual Worlds
• N.Y. Gov. Hochul: Nuclear energy, AI training gets boost from $40M investment
• AI infrastructure bubble won’t burst until 2027, Northland predicts By Investing.com