The Fountain is an interactive installation designed to provoke contemplation on the interplay between two essential resources: water and data. At a time when water scarcity is a growing concern, and the demand for data and processing power continues to surge with the rise of the internet and AI, our relationship with these resources becomes increasingly complex. This installation challenges participants to explore the connection between them.

While water may seem unrelated to the production of AI, large server farms, essential for storing and processing vast amounts of data, often rely on water evaporation cooling mechanisms to function. AI server cooling consumes on average of 9 liters of water per kWh of energy used. With an average of 0.003 kWh usage to generate an AI image, we use roughly 27 millimeters of water per AI image generated.

As participants approach The Fountain they can choose to either drink water from the fountain or pour the water into the server which will trigger the generation of AI images of nature conveying a distopian connection to the natural world. Through the experience AI generated sounds of trees crackling and AI modeled sounds of nature can also be heard.

Through this interactive experience, participants are prompted to reconsider their perceptions of resource consumption, sustainability, and the intricate balance between human needs and technological advancements. As they witness the direct correlation between their actions and the functioning of the AI generation, they are encouraged to reflect on the value of AI in the context of limited resources, particularly in the face of water scarcity.