As artificial intelligence tools like ChatGPT have become more common in classrooms and daily life, questions are starting to arise about their hidden costs.

While many people see AI as a helpful and exciting technology, few stop to think about the impact it could be having on the environment. A recent survey conducted by The Bite of 33 students and teachers reveals some surprising problems related to how often AI is used and how little people know about its environmental effects. Read on to find out more!

Widespread AI Use, Limited Awareness

Artificial intelligence tools like ChatGPT have become everyday companions for many students and teachers at AISB, but recent survey data reveals growing concerns that are not being talked about enough. Although nearly 73% of respondents identified as students and 27% as teachers, both groups seem to be relying on AI at surprisingly high rates.

Nearly half of all survey respondents said they use AI tools like ChatGPT every day, while another 21% use them nearly 2-3 times a day.

Despite this heavy usage, most users aren’t fully aware of the environmental cost that comes with it.

Only 15.2% of those surveyed said they are “fully aware” of the environmental impacts of AI, including the high electricity use, water consumption, and pollution tied to the data centers that power it. A larger portion—48.5%—said they are only “somewhat aware,” and 36.4% admitted to being unaware altogether. The lack of awareness within our school is a huge problem, considering the increase in AI use for schoolwork and everyday digital habits. 

Furthermore, when asked if they would reduce their AI usage if they knew it had a significant impact on the environment, the majority of participants did not strongly commit to making a change. In fact, 45.5% said they would be only “somewhat likely” to reduce their usage, while 12.1% said they wouldn’t change their behavior at all.

“I don’t even use AI every day, and I am not aware of the negative environmental impact of AI. I would not reduce my AI usage because I am certain big companies and people across the world are using it far more, and if I stop it wouldn’t make a difference.” 

Grade 10 student Roman Y.

This statement reveals a critical disconnect: although students and staff are using AI more than ever, most are unaware or unsure about its long-term effects on the planet, and fewer are willing to take action.

As these technologies continue to grow, so do their environmental footprints. Without deeper education and awareness at AISB, the school community may continue using powerful tools without realizing their invisible costs far beyond the screen.

The Environmental Toll of AI

Behind the convenience and intelligence of AI tools like ChatGPT lies a massive demand for energy and natural resources that few users ever see.

According to MIT News, developing advanced AI systems requires enormous amounts of electricity, far beyond the needs of regular computing. This is especially true during the training phase, when large language models are fed vast datasets and run through complex calculations over extended periods.

The result is a spike in energy consumption that places additional strain on already stressed electrical grids and leads to a rise in carbon emissions.

Yet the environmental impact doesn’t end after the model is trained. AI tools continue to consume significant power during regular use, as servers must remain active and responsive to thousands—or even millions—of simultaneous queries.

As the popularity of AI increases, so does the demand for the infrastructure that supports it. Furthermore, in 2023, electricity use by data centers in North America alone doubled, and global data center energy consumption is projected to grow from 460 terawatt-hours in 2022 to more than 1,050 terawatt-hours by 2026. We can infer that this sharp rise is due to the rapid AI expansion. 

Major companies like Amazon have over 100 data centers worldwide, with each containing roughly 50,000 servers. These centers not only require electricity to function but also use large amounts of water to cool the hardware and prevent overheating.

This process, known as water cooling, seems harmless, but according to MIT News, it can actually deplete water supplies and place strain on nearby ecosystems, particularly in drought-prone or water-scarce regions. The more AI is used, the more cooling is needed, turning everyday questions into environmental costs.

AI tools like ChatGPT may seem harmless, but they come with a big environmental cost. From using large amounts of electricity to wasting water, these tools have hidden impacts on our planet that people don’t see.

The Bite’s survey results show that students and teachers use AI often, but most do not fully understand the damage it can cause. Even fewer are ready to change their habits.

Now is the time to start paying attention. We need to learn how our digital choices affect the environment and make smarter decisions. AISB can lead the way by teaching students about the environmental impact of AI and encouraging students to use it thoughtfully. Let us take action by using AI more responsibly.

The planet is counting on us.