The AI Sustainability Challenge

In this lesson, learners consider the environmental challenges posed by the increasing use of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Each team of learners develops and presents ideas for sustainable approaches to reducing the negative impacts of AI advancements.

Background Information

Systems Design Challenges

Systems Design Challenges present learners with a real-world problem that is part of a complex system. Learners examine the intricate parts of that problem as they design potential solutions. By the end of a systems design challenge, learners will be able to articulate a potential solution, the real-world problem it addresses, and the effects their idea might have on other components of that larger system. Systems Design Challenges use the Innovation Design Process and Innovator Mindsets. This focus on the process builds learners' problem-solving capacity and self-confidence, preparing them for careers of the future and empowering them to create change in the world.

Materials 

• Sustainable AI Project Guides (1 per learner, 1 topic per team) 
  • Focus 1: Designing Better Data Centers
  • Focus 2: Tracking Data Center Energy Use
  • Focus 3: Improving AI Inputs and Outputs
  • Focus 4: Reducing Data Center Noise and Light Pollution
• AI Data Production Life Cycle cards (1 set per class or team) 
• Sticky notes
• Chart paper
• Tape 
• Markers, pen/pencil, and other writing utensils 
• Optional: large dry erase boards (1 per team)
• Optional: devices for teams to do additional research

Preparation

1. Review all of the resources to become familiar with the material.
2. Divide students into teams of 3–6 and assign each team one of the Project Guide Focus areas.
3. Print, set up, and organize materials for student brainstorming.
   • Print Sustainable AI Project Guide. 
   • Pre-cut the AI Data Production Life Cycle cards. Print one set per team.
   • Tip: Laminate each set for future use.

Lesson Directions

Understand the Problem

Activate Prior Knowledge (5 min) 

1. Let learners know that in this lesson they will examine the systems used to develop AI and the impact that has on the environment. 
2. Invite learner responses and lead a short discussion of what they already know.
   Guiding Questions:
   
   • How often did you use AI or LLMs today? Give examples.
   • Where do you think the energy comes from to run AI systems? 
   • Are you aware of environmental issues caused by increasing AI use?
3. Learners may mention using a virtual assistant like Amazon’s Alexa or Google’s chatbot Gemini to do research. They also might mention home security cameras that detect motion or recognize faces, or shopping or healthcare help assistants that provide solutions. They may be familiar with how quickly AI use is growing, and talk about the creation of data centers and the energy they require. Let them know that during this lesson they will think of innovative ways to make AI more sustainable.

Mapping the Problem (15 min) 

1. Next, learners will look more closely at the complex systems that produce AI. 
2. Make sure you have the AI Data Production Life Cycle cards, markers, chart paper/board, and tape. 
   • Give each group their own set of cards and chart paper. These cards represent the different parts of the system that creates AI. 
3. Have each team organize the cards on their chart paper based on how they think the concepts would be connected in a larger system. 
   • Have them note the factors that might be impacted by these areas as well as the ways in which they might be impacted by other factors. 
   • Encourage students to add their cards to the mind-map, draw pictures, write keywords, and add lines showing how their ideas are connected. 

Sharing (10 min) 

1. When time is up, have teams share their mind-maps with each other in a brief gallery tour. 
2. Bring the class back together for a debrief and discussion. 
   • Have a few volunteers share what they added. 
   • Ask: How do you think increased AI use affects humans and the natural world?
   • During the discussion, point out: 
     • Notice the natural resources that AI systems use that humans also rely on.
     • Some of the outputs that AI systems generate are hurtful to the environment but others could be positive or neutral.

Sustainable AI Challenge

Introduce the Challenge (5 min) 

1. Introduce learners to the Innovation Design Process. 
2. Introduce the Design Challenge Scenario:
   

   You and your team run a sustainable design firm that develops innovative technology processes. You are looking more closely at the systems that develop AI tools, the infrastructure that supports them, and the resources that they require. Your team will use your skills as communicators, researchers, collaborators, and creative problem-solvers to develop an innovative approach that benefits people and the planet.

3. Explain the design problem. Address any questions that learners have.
   

   Design Problem

   Develop an idea for reducing AI’s impact on the environment. Your solution could fit into the system at an individual, community, or global level.

4. Let teams know that before they begin brainstorming solutions, they will look at some examples of other approaches for inspiration.

Solutions Leading the Way (30 min) 

1. Tell learners that next they will have a chance to think about how they could change this system. Let them know they will look at some more sustainable approaches to this process. 
2. Organize learners into teams of three to six. Hand out the Sustainable AI Project Guides. Assign each group one of the focus areas. 
3. Give teams about 15 or 20 minutes to review the information for their assigned topic, discuss what they notice, and prepare to share it with others. They can take notes in their Project Guides. 
4. While they are working, encourage learners to pay attention to these questions: 
   • How does this solution reduce impact on the environment? 
   • How does this solution fit into the larger system? 
   • What else stands out about this approach? 
5. At the end of the time limit, have each team share with the rest of the class what they noticed about these solutions.
6. As they share, encourage teams to make connections between the solutions and the mind-map they created in the previous session.

Imagine What's Possible (15 min) 

1. Next, have learners think about other possible approaches to AI and the environment.
2. They can focus their discussion by exploring individual, community, and global solutions to the problems of AI sustainability. 
   • Individual: Are there things that learners can do themselves to reduce AI’s impact on the environment? How much impact will these interventions have on the system? 
   • Community: Are there ways that they could organize with their community to address AI sustainability? Some communities have pressured politicians not to allow data centers to be built in their area. Is this the most equitable solution? Why or why not?
   • Global: Besides changes made internally by companies, are there ways to change the design of all AI systems overall? How? 
3. Facilitation Questions include:
   • What ideas have inspired you so far? 
   • Looking at the design of AI systems, what areas have the most potential for greater change towards sustainability?

Sharing and Debrief (15 min) 

1. Bring teams back together to share their ideas with each other. 
2. Have each team share a brief summary of their idea and how they think it would impact the larger system. 
3. After the sharing, lead the class in debrief and discussion. 
4. Point out the range of ideas that learners had in the brainstorm for a more sustainable process. 
5. Debrief the lesson as a class. Discuss what learners saw and learned from the process and each other’s work.  
6. Debrief Questions can include: 
   • How did your understanding of AI change throughout this project? 
   • What did you learn about sustainability? 
   • What would you change about your solution?
   • How did this make you think about how you can impact the world?

Standards Connections

Vocabulary