Development and demand for AI tools comes with a growing concern of their environmental cost. Recent research shows AI’s significant need for energy, including electricity and water consumption.
Use the following classroom guide and original sources to engage your students in a discussion on the potential impact of generative AI (GenAI) on the planet.
Updated Oct. 2026
Generative AI (GenAI) tools require significant computing power. That computing power comes from data centers that require water, land, and electricity. Understanding these environmental impacts can help students think critically about the trade-offs between technological innovation, personal convenience, and sustainability.
This guide helps educators and students engage in meaningful discussions that use the SEE Framework for Generative AI Literacy’s mindsets to thoughtfully weigh the benefits of GenAI alongside its larger impacts.
What We Know
GenAI requires significant energy. Training and running GenAI models requires huge data centers that use large amounts of electricity.
Data centers rely on water. Water helps keep data centers from overheating, making it an important resource for GenAI systems.
Not all GenAI tasks have the same impact. Creating images and videos generally requires more computing power than text. Larger, more advanced GenAI models tend to use more energy than smaller ones.
Researchers are still learning. There is a growing body of evidence on GenAI’s environmental impacts, but more research is needed as GenAI technology evolves and scales.
Balancing Innovation & Responsibility
GenAI can be helpful and, when used well, benefit learning, creativity, and productivity. At the same time, these activities have environmental impacts.
Rather than viewing all GenAI use cases as good or bad, use these questions to help students weigh the costs and benefits of GenAI depending on the context.
Quick Check: Before You Use GenAI
Am I just using GenAI because it’s convenient?
Is GenAI enriching or diminishing my learning?
Is there a low- or no-tech way to meet this goal just as well?
Can I use a less energy-intensive model?
Does this task need an image or video?
Am I creating something genuinely valuable or useful?
Reflect with the SEE Mindsets
Use the SEE mindsets to reflect on when and how GenAI creates meaningful value while considering its environmental impact.
Be Intentional: How can I turn GenAI use into a decision instead of a default?
Stay Critical: When I come across information about GenAI’s impact, am I checking if the source is credible and what other experts say?
Be Transparent: Am I honest with others about my GenAI use? How could GenAI companies be more open about their impacts on people and the planet?
Act Responsibly: What changes could I make to align my GenAI use with my values?
Keep Learning: What’s one thing about GenAI’s impacts I want to know more about?
Classroom Conversation Starters
Use these conversation starters and suggested responses to help guide classroom discussions about GenAI’s environmental impact.
Understanding the Trade-Offs
Student Question: Does GenAI hurt the environment?
Suggested Response: GenAI does have environmental impacts, but it’s complex. As with any technology, we need to weigh both the benefits GenAI provides and the environmental costs that come with it. Rather than looking for a single right answer, let’s discuss how we, and the companies building GenAI, can better balance innovation with responsibility.
Understanding How GenAI Works
Student Question: Why does GenAI need so much water and energy?
Suggested Response: Many people don’t realize that every GenAI prompt relies on real computers and data centers. What do you think is happening behind the scenes when you use GenAI?
Weighing Costs and Benefits
Student Question: GenAI has environmental costs; should we stop using it?
Suggested Response: Many technologies improve our lives while also creating challenges. How do we decide when the benefits of a technology outweigh its costs? How might this differ depending on how we use GenAI?
Considering Shared Responsibility
Student Question: Who is responsible for reducing GenAI’s environmental impact?
Suggested Response: Different people and organizations have different roles to play. Where do you think schools, companies, governments, and individual users fit into that picture?
Continue the Conversation
Learning about GenAI’s environmental impact doesn’t end with one lesson. Every conversation is an opportunity to build critical thinking, environmental awareness, and responsible decision-making. Encourage students to ask thoughtful questions, consider multiple perspectives, and apply the SEE mindsets as they reflect on the benefits and environmental impacts of GenAI.
Rather than handing students definitive answers, the goal is to help them thoughtfully weigh the benefits and trade-offs of using GenAI.
Sources & Further Reading
The Environmental Cost of AI’s Energy Use: Carbon, Water, and Land Footprints. https://unu.edu/inweh/collection/environmental-cost-of-AIs-Enrgy-Use-Carbon-water-and-land-footprints
Explained: Generative AI’s Environmental Impact. https://news.mit.edu/2025/explained-generative-ai-environmental-impact-0117
How to Make AI Data Centers More Sustainable. https://www.unep.org/technical-highlight/how-make-ai-data-centres-more-sustainable
These 5 Cities Are Making Innovative Use of Generative AI. https://www.weforum.org/stories/urban-transformation/generative-ai-smart-cities/
GenAI Disclosure Statement
This resource was developed with support from Claude, which assisted with editing, design, and layout. All GenAI contributions followed from existing human drafts and were reviewed, revised, and verified by human authors, who made all final decisions.
