The uprising of AI has not been a topic that the world has shied away from discussing. The way AI has affected schools, jobs, art, and authenticity has been something that society has been trying to wrap its head around. While AI is being greatly discussed, one thing about it has not been mentioned nearly enough. That thing is, it’s a toll on the environment physically and economically.

“I always see people talking about AI, whether it is online or teachers, and they always talk about how we shouldn’t use it because of integrity,” shares sophomore Elizabeth Brodeur. “But I didn’t realize that it was affecting the physical environment”.

In the past 5 years, AI has been growing at a rapid pace, making its way into jobs, schools, and everyday life. While it has brought a new form of learning and assistance to the world, its cons are far greater than its pros. The production of AI without considering the actual usage already uses astonishing amounts of electricity.

According to the Harvard Business Review, “The generation of electricity, particularly through fossil fuel combustion, results in local air pollution, thermal pollution in water bodies, and the production of solid waste, including even hazardous materials”. The companies creating and developing AI need vast amounts of energy and water, and the planet cannot keep up with the speed at which it is being created.

It is so important for society as a whole to realize how important the environment is, especially right now and in the next few years. Using AI for anything can seem like the easiest, most convenient option at the moment, but it’s important to remember that the choice to use AI will affect the world for much longer than just that moment.

The reliance on large amounts of electricity is furthering the increase in carbon emissions and climate change. So next time you reach for ChatGPT on your computer, remember that you are feeding the fire.