Environmental issues around AI are complex and often opaque. This session explores what is known about the impact of training and use of generative AI systems like large language models and image generation, as well as making practical suggestions for how to teach about these concerns.
This session is based on the 2023 open access series of articles ‘Teaching AI Ethics’, which is currently being updated with recent research from 2024 and ’25. The session introduces the major concerns regarding the impact of AI on the environment, including:
- The energy and water consumption of data centres and AI training
- Estimates of energy consumption and waste from using different types of AI
- Clarity regarding misinformation and hype The session includes teaching ideas for different disciplines which are applicable in both a secondary and tertiary education context, framed through essential questions that educators can discuss with students.
The original series of articles can be found at https://leonfurze.com/ai-ethics/
Please click on the facilitator’s name in the session info to view their bio.
This session will be recorded and shared on the website and on our YouTube channel
