The environmental impacts of AI
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can compare the energy and resource demands of AI systems with traditional digital tools.
Key learning points
- Data centres use huge amounts of electricity to power servers and lots of water to cool hardware.
- They also require a number of rare minerals and generate electronic waste.
- Training AI systems, the first step in making an AI model, requires more energy and water than basic AI tool usage.
- Using AI tools is more resource-hungry than standard search queries.
- To use digital tools responsibly, choose energy-efficient methods like search engines for simple information look-up.
Keywords
Server - a computer that stores, manages and shares files, data and resources in a network
Data centre - a facility that houses servers, storage systems and networking equipment to store, process and distribute data
Training - the process of an AI system analysing large datasets to identify patterns and refine the algorithms it uses to predict outputs
Electronic waste (e-waste) - discarded electrical or electronic equipment like phones, laptops and batteries
Common misconception
Using AI tools to search for information I need is the same as using a search engine.
AI tools use more resources than traditional search engines as training their models requires vast amounts of processing power.
Teacher tip
In Task B learners are asked to identify energy-efficient tools for digital tasks from a provided list, to extend this task you could get learners to reflect on their own digital tasks and AI usage and consider the associated energy demands.
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which of these is a benefit of using an instant messaging app compared to a traditional phone call?
Q2.Many digital tools fall into more than one category. Which of the following are examples of an 'interaction tool'?
Q3.What is the main difference between a standard search engine and generative AI?
Q4.How does AI summarisation technology work?
Q5.Which of the following is a challenge specifically related to AI systems?
Q6.When a social media app suggests a video "Because you watched...", what AI feature is it using?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What are the two primary resources that data centres need massive amounts of to keep servers running?
Q2.Why does a generative AI search use more energy than a traditional web search?
Q3.Which stage of an AI system's life cycle is generally considered the most resource-heavy and energy-intensive?
Q4.What are some of the hidden environmental impacts of AI hardware?
Q5.Why does AI hardware (like GPUs) create more e-waste than standard office computers?
Q6.From the following list, choose the task where using a standard search engine would be more appropriate than using an AI tool.
To help you plan your 8 digital literacy lesson on: The environmental impacts of AI, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 8 digital literacy lesson on: The environmental impacts of AI, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 3 digital literacy lessons from the Using AI and digital tools responsibly unit, dive into the full secondary digital literacy curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.