Environmental impact of artificial intelligence

High school (ages 12+)
Environment & Earth

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/environmental-impact-of-artificial-intelligence

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. Why do computers that learn need so much energy?They use a lot of electricity to run many powerful processors, especially when learning new things. This electricity often comes from coal or gas, which creates carbon that warms the Earth.
2. How does training a big AI model affect the planet?Training one big AI model can release as much carbon as several cars drive in their whole lives. That adds to the problem of climate change.

Neural Networks: Computational models inspired by the structure and function of the human brain, used in AI.
Carbon Footprint: The total greenhouse gas emissions caused directly or indirectly by an individual, organization, event, or product.
Circular Economy: An economic system aimed at eliminating waste and the continual use of resources.