As the semester begins, and students quickly return to their boatloads of work, they also welcome back their A.I. friend, ChatGPT, for help. Yes, the work decreases immensely by asking A.I. for the answers to an hour-long homework question, but at what cost? The power of A.I. is strong, with continuous improvements that fuel innovation. However, the power of A.I. also completely impacts carbon emissions and electronic waste.
A carbon footprint is a measurement of the total greenhouse gas emissions caused by an activity, person, or product. One of these products is digital services, like ChatGPT. ChatGPT utilizes data centers to retrieve information when it is utilized. In turn, these data centers consume significant amounts of non-renewable energy and electricity to maintain production. The operation of these A.I. machines create extensive amounts of greenhouse gas emissions, which are detrimental to the environment. The reduction of carbon footprint is necessary to combat climate change through the limitation of greenhouse gas emissions.
Electronic waste refers to discarded electronic devices, like phones, computers and TVs that are no longer usable. Oftentimes, e-waste contains harmful materials like lead, mercury and cadmium, which are major pollutants toward the environment and human health if they are not disposed of properly. Naturally, the e-waste produced by A.I. poses these threats. However, does the average student know that, although their A.I. is helpful for their homework, it is harmful for their planet?
“I recently learned about the excessive energy consumption and carbon dioxide emissions that each ChatGPT request brings upon, and I was shocked,” sophomore Nina Wilson said. “Based on the information, I believe that something must change.”
Some students, after realizing the effects of ChatGPT, understand the impact that their meaningless searches create and choose to halt their usage. Luckily, these students put their care for the environment before their need for quick answers.
“Learning that AI hurts the environment doesn’t really affect my usage because I don’t care to use it anyway,” Wilson said. “I feel more worried about my possible dependance on A.I. and the damage to our education system.”
Wilson is troubled by the possible bond a student might have with A.I. Her worries lie within the involuntary servitude students might foster by using these A.I. tools when they are stressed and know that they can get work done instantly by this service. This process will in turn lead to over usage and thus pose extreme harm to our environment. Yet for other students, they don’t see too much of a problem with A.I..
“I don’t think that the next step should be to stop using A.I., but it should be to invent things that make using A.I. more sustainable,” sophomore Kylah Rice said. “When used correctly, A.I. is super beneficial.”
Rice employs ChatGPT for writing emails, finding out information quickly, and learning new gym exercises. For her, it is more than just a homework helper, but assistance in all aspects of life.
It is necessary that students learn about the environmental implications of ChatGPT, because there seems to be a lack of transparency revolving around the tool. The words “carbon footprint” and “e-waste” might be new terms to many readers. It is now crucial to understand how our everyday activities can hurt the planet.
Additionally, with the new technological developments of A.I., the next step should be to find a more sustainable way to use it. Most students have no idea of the detrimental impact that A.I. has on the environment. But unfortunately, even the students with this knowledge will most likely not stop their usage of ChatGPT. I believe that at this point, the A.I. is too simple and accessible for students to dismiss it entirely.
Now it is up to everyone else. Knowing about the ecological toll of ChatGPT, what will you choose: the A.I. machine or to go green?