Will AI do more harm or good for the planet?
Overview
AI is already being used in many ways to combat climate change. Yet, building, training, and using AI comes with an enormous environmental footprint. Will AI ultimately do more harm or good for the planet? In this lesson, students will draw on their prior learning about the potential and pitfalls of AI for the planet and form their own opinions on whether the advantages of AI outweigh its environmental costs. Then, they will explore potential solutions for making AI more sustainable.
- AI & Science
- 45 minutes
Digital Materials
Objectives
After this experience, students will be able to
- Evaluate the trade-offs of AI advancement.
- Identify possible solutions for making AI more sustainable.
Questions explored
- What are the trade-offs between the benefits of AI and its environmental costs?
- What strategies can be used to reduce the environmental impact of AI while still benefiting from its advancements?
Key Terms
Artificial Intelligence (AI)
- The ability of computers to imitate human-like thinking, learning, and problem-solving.