Adopting Wise A.I Habits With GentleWays

Nowadays, Artificial Intelligence is widely accessible and is used both commercially and at the consumer level to perform many tasks. But there are underlying environmental consequences of A.I. that need to be addressed so that users can be more aware and develop sustainable habits.

Artificial Intelligence (A.I) is a technology that allows computers to perform tasks that would otherwise require human intelligence. It uses large scale, powerful machines called ‘supercomputers’ to process vast amounts of data and make decisions significantly faster than humans can. A.I differs from normal computing as it not only analyzes data, but also learns from this information to adjust its output. This makes A.I highly desirable, as it is adaptable and more efficient than traditional computers.  

Artificial Intelligence has benefited many industries worldwide. It can also enhance our personal lives by quickly making recommendations, answering questions, and assisting our writing. The Omdia AI Market survey has estimated that the global A.I market will expand by 26% in 2025. The novelty and wide accessibility of A.I technology has contributed to a large increase in its demand. 

Although A.I has many benefits, it also has a consequential impact on the environment. The supercomputers that power A.I consume significant electricity and emit large amounts of greenhouse gasses. According to the International Energy Agency, an A.I request takes 10 times more energy than a Google Search. Considering the global demand for A.I, there are hundreds of data centers that store these supercomputers, each of them being extremely taxing on environmental resources. Unfortunately, the negative environmental consequences of A.I are widely unknown to users, which leads to unnecessary waste and pollution. 

GentleWays for Our Planet aims to inspire individuals to take small, meaningful actions to reduce our carbon footprint. We recognize that artificial intelligence is an accessible and powerful tool, although it is not free. The large amounts of electricity consumed, and greenhouse gases emitted come at cost to our environment. By informing people of the negative impact that A.I has on our environment, GentleWays hopes to enable individuals to become conscientious consumers of A.I.

Artificial Intelligence is a growing industry with many applications. As with any resource, we should use A.I wisely and acknowledge how it effects our environment. The computing capabilities of A.I come with staggering electricity requirements. By fostering sustainable habits, we can reduce A.I’s environmental impact and leave a gentler footprint on our planet. Remember to think before you click, use AI wisely!

Claire Palys is an Environmental Engagement Practicum Student with Gentleways for Our Planet.