THE RAPID rise of Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) and its use in the academe and the workplace has since ignited a polarizing discourse on its benefits, disadvantages, and ethics. While these advantages include improving productivity, assisting scientific research, data analytics, and more, concerns over its massive energy consumption and staggering water usage highlight GenAI’s severe environmental impact.
AI’s power and pitfalls
In today’s digital landscape, GenAI applications usually consist of machine learning models that are able to generate text, images, and applications based on a combination of user prompts and wide-range datasets.
With its adaptability, GenAI tools and integrations have been used for versatile functions. Various software such as operating systems like MacOS and Windows, as well as even online platforms like Meta and X, have incorporated AI-powered features that assist their users.
GenAI is also widely used as an assistive tool in climate and disaster resilience research. It plays a big part in processing simulations and models related to their field, according to Ateneo Institute of Sustainability (AIS) Climate Disaster and Resilience Head Daniel Ratilla.
When conducting weather reports, Ratilla mentioned that GenAI can also be utilized in creating forecasts at a municipal level—surpassing the limitations of current coverages that mainly focus on regional averages of weather parameters.
In the academe, GenAI is also used as a learning tool and an assistive device for requirements by many students. John Paul Blando (4 BS BIO) shared how he uses AI models such as ChatGPT and Grammarly to help him with his outputs.
“When I work, […] and medyo may writer’s block, […] kinakailangan na ginagamit ‘yung AI to search. (When I work and I get writer’s block, I feel the need to use AI to search.) As a Biology major, puro labworks, (there are many labworks) […] I also use AI for proofreading for my lab reports,” Blando explained.
However, while GenAI enhances productivity and streamlines work, its maintenance and operation come with drawbacks from both ethical and environmental standpoints.
The rising demand of AI
AI systems, which need physical data server centers in order to operate, require massive computational power to function. Moreover, these centers’ operations generate excess amounts of heat, which is addressed by water cooling systems.
As the load on these servers increases, more water is required to regulate the rise in temperature which may be detrimental, especially in areas with low freshwater supply. A study published by Massachusetts Institute of Technology researchers reported that each kilowatt hour of energy consumed by a data center would need at least two liters of water for cooling.
Furthermore, research estimates that a simple ChatGPT query consumes “about five times more electricity” than a regular web search. With the current demand for smarter and more complex GenAI models, these energy requirements may further increase for future versions.
Beyond these environmental impacts, AI also raises significant ethical issues in media and academia. The proliferation of AI-generated content has raised questions on originality, plagiarism, and fabrication of information that may sometimes be harmful to certain people, like marginalized communities or students relying on inaccurate academic sources.
When asked about these issues’ implications for sustainability and climate resilience, AIS Program Head for Sustainable Development Goals Chris Lacdao said that the cons of AI use far outweigh the short-term benefits it provides people.
Ratilla added that the continued careless use of AI may lead to further resource depletion in what he cites as the “Jevons Paradox.” This economic concept describes how increased investments toward efficiency can lead to an increase in the consumption of resources.
AI’s sustainable future
To balance AI innovation and environmental sustainability, numerous solutions may be implemented. Lacdao suggested that collaborative efforts and clear communication of the responsible use of GenAI must be done to reach a wider audience.
Similarly, Ratilla highlighted the importance of not alienating those who regularly use this technology. As an alternative, he mentioned the need for informative engagements with people who constantly patronize GenAI for their daily activities.
As of writing, the current University policy on GenAI only requires students to cite their use of the technology, as well as the prompts sent to the model. However, the University policy may be subject to change after reviews conducted on the policy “every six to 12 months.”
With AI continuing to develop, a conscious effort must be made at an individual and industrial level to fully understand its ethical and environmental impacts. Establishing conscientious users of AI significantly contributes toward minimizing this assistive technology’s tax.
