PeopleofSuperintelligence

Public voice

Andy Masley

Andy Masley is an independent writer and researcher whose essays cover AI and data centers. TIME named him one of its 100 most influential people in AI in 2026. Before writing full time, he taught high school physics for seven years and ran the effective altruism city network in Washington, DC, for four years. In October 2025 he published “The AI water issue is fake,” arguing that AI is barely using any water. In November 2025 he published a critique of Karen Hao’s Empire of AI, and the author updated the book in December 2025.

Timeline

  1. October 2025

    An essay on AI water

    He publishes “The AI water issue is fake” in October 2025, arguing that AI is barely using any water.

  2. November 2025

    A critique of Empire of AI

    He publishes a critique of Karen Hao’s Empire of AI in November 2025. In December 2025 the author updates the book based on his two main criticisms.

  3. February 2026

    Interview on AI water use

    He tells AZFamily in February 2026 that almost all of the 1.7 trillion gallons per year cited in Empire of AI is withdrawn and then returned to its source.

  4. 2026

    On TIME's 100 AI list

    TIME names him one of its 100 most influential people in AI in 2026.

  5. August 2026

    Guest on ThursdAI

    He appears as a guest on the weekly AI news podcast ThursdAI in August 2026, walking through the data-center backlash by the numbers.

  6. As of October 2026

    Independent writer and researcher

    As of October 2026 he is an independent writer and researcher. Before writing full time, he teaches high school physics for seven years and then runs the effective altruism city network in Washington, DC, for four years.

Sources and credits

Photo: We have no published photo of Andy Masley yet. Send us a free-licensed photo.

  1. The AI water issue is fake — Andy Masley andymasley.com. Checked 14 October 2026.
  2. Empire of AI is wildly misleading about AI water use — Andy Masley andymasley.com. Checked 14 October 2026.
  3. Data centers aren’t the water villains you think they are, environmentalist says azfamily.com. Checked 14 October 2026.
  4. About - Andy Masley andymasley.substack.com. Checked 14 October 2026.
  5. The 100 Most Influential People in AI 2026 | AI Weekly aiweekly.co. Checked 14 October 2026.
  6. Andy Masley (Independent) — ThursdAI guest thursdai.news. Checked 14 October 2026.
  7. Andy Masley andymasley.com. Checked 14 October 2026.