In recent years, AI has gained huge popularity in the fields of science, social studies, and technology for solving complex problems, from diagnosing diseases to forecasting floods. Its potential in addressing the climate crisis is also praiseworthy — for instance, in aiding environmental research, which has contributed to mapping deforestation and soil erosion, as well as forecasting droughts and wildfires. Activists are now using Global Fishing Watch, which employs machine-learning software to identify overfishing and illegal fishing in specific areas, thereby protecting our ecosystems. However, behind all this excitement, there is an uncomfortable truth — AI might be doing more harm than good for the environment.

AI’s Profit Problem

The rise of AI has opened many opportunities for businesses to maximise their profits, but this comes at a price. Businesses increasingly rely on AI, leading to increased resource extraction, industrial production, and global consumption. For instance, deep learning technologies are used by major corporations to analyse massive geological datasets, aiming to identify new oil and gas reserves. Additionally, smart submersibles, led by AI, can now detect untapped oil and gas reserves in remote parts of the ocean. Moreover, to generate profit, states and firms often exaggerate the benefits of new AI technology for personal gain, while downplaying or concealing its environmental costs. The tech world works by hyping people up — for example, when start-ups claim ‘technological breakthroughs’ to attract funding from investors. Large firms, such as Amazon and Google, dominate this space, controlling the technology and shaping public perception. The result? Increased production, overconsumption, and escalating pressure on the planet’s already limited resources.

AI’s Own Environmental Footprint

AI not only facilitates environmentally harmful practices but is also resource-intensive. Training advanced AI models, such as ChatGPT and GenAI, requires enormous amounts of electricity. According to the United Nations Environment Programme, a single search made through ChatGPT consumes ten times more energy than a simple Google search. Intuitively, complex models tend to be even more energy-intensive and have a negative impact on the overall environmental footprint.

Moreover, once an AI model is trained, the energy demand does not stop; rather, it continues to consume electricity every time it is used. The rise of AI has also fuelled the expansion of data centres, which require vast amounts of water to cool equipment and prevent overheating. They also produce electronic waste and generate significant greenhouse gas emissions. As companies constantly release newer and more powerful models, the carbon emissions continue to rise at a pace that far outweighs any emissions that AI tools could help reduce.

Smart Tech Needs Smart Governance

If left to corporations alone, AI risks being misused for short-term profits, leading to long-term environmental degradation. Without proper regulation, AI could become a tool of overproduction and unsustainable consumption. Hence, I believe that the best way to manage the risks of AI is to combine technology with politics to provide innovative solutions to environmental crises and to ensure that AI development is aligned with environmental and social goals.

The Government should more closely control AI development to prioritise its use for public interest, particularly among researchers, scientists, and institutions working on climate and sustainability. Additionally, state-funded AI initiatives can help transform industries with low-carbon technologies while also preventing businesses from overusing these technologies for purely profit-driven purposes. In today’s world, we are not passive receivers of technology; rather, we have the power to shape it to our advantage responsibly. Hence, we must redefine its purpose as a tool to ensure sustainable development.

(The author is a graduate in International Relations from the University of British Columbia, Vancouver)

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Now, artificial intelligence is used for a variety of everyday implementations including facial recognition software, online shopping algorithms, search engines, digital assistants like Siri and Alexa , translation services, automated safety functions on cars, cybersecurity, airport body scanning security, poker playing strategy, and fighting disinformation on social media . [13] [58]

More recently, advances in computer storage limits and speeds have opened new avenues for AI research and implementation, aiding scientific research and forging new paths in medicine for patient diagnosis, robotic surgery, and drug development. [1] [10] [11] [12]

AI technology continued to grow at a rapid pace during the 1950s. And, as computers became cheaper in the 1960s and ’70s, AI programs flourished, and U.S. government agencies including the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) began to fund AI-related research. But computers were still too weak to manage the language tasks researchers asked of them. Another influx of funding in the 1980s and early ’90s furthered the research, including the invention of expert systems . But progress again waned with another drop in government funding. [10]

The “Father of Artificial Intelligence,” John McCarthy , coined the term “artificial intelligence” as “the science and engineering of making intelligent machines.” He would go on to create the computer programming language LISP (which is still used in AI), host computer chess games against human Russian opponents, and develop the first computer with “hand-eye” capability, all important building blocks for AI. [1] [5] [6] [7]

The modern notion of AI largely began when Alan Turing , who contributed to breaking the Nazis’ Enigma code during World War II , created the “ Turing test ” to determine if a computer is capable of “thinking.” The value and legitimacy of the test have long been debated. [1] [3] [4]

Mayor notes that the myths about Hephaestus , the Greek god of invention and blacksmithing, included precursors to AI. For example, Hephaestus created the giant bronze man Talos, which had a mysterious life force from the gods called ichor. Hephaestus also created Pandora and her infamous and powerful jar/box, as well as a set of automated servants made of gold that were given the knowledge of the gods. Mayor concludes, “Not one of those myths has a good ending once the artificial beings are sent to Earth. It’s almost as if the myths say that it’s great to have these artificial things up in heaven used by the gods. But once they interact with humans, we get chaos and destruction.” [2]

The idea of AI dates back at least 2,700 years. As Adrienne Mayor, research scholar, folklorist, and science historian at Stanford University , explains: “Our ability to imagine artificial intelligence goes back to ancient times. Long before technological advances made self-moving devices possible, ideas about creating artificial life and robots were explored in ancient myths.” [2]

Artificial intelligence (AI) is the use of “ computers and machines to mimic the problem-solving and decision-making capabilities of the human mind,” according to IBM . [1]

Pro 1: AI can make everyday life more enjoyable and convenient, while improving our health and standard of living. Why sit in a traffic jam when a map app can navigate you around the car accident? Why fumble with shopping bags searching for your keys in the dark when a preset location-based command can have your doorway illuminated as you approach your now unlocked door? [23] Why scroll through hundreds of possible TV shows when the streaming app already knows what genres you like? Why forget eggs at the grocery store when a digital assistant can take an inventory of your refrigerator and add them to your grocery list and have them delivered to your home? All of these marvels are assisted by AI technology. [23] AI-enabled fitness apps boomed during the COVID-19 pandemic when gyms were closed, increasing the number of AI options for at-home workouts. Now, you can not only set a daily steps goal with encouragement reminders on your smart watch, but you can ride virtually through the countryside on a Peloton bike from your garage or have a personal trainer on your living room TV. For more specialized fitness, AI wearables can monitor yoga poses or golf and baseball swings. [24][25] AI can even enhance your doctor’s appointments and medical procedures. It can alert medical caregivers to patterns in your health data as compared to a vast library of medical data, while also doing the paperwork tied to medical appointments so doctors have more time to focus on their patients, resulting in more personalized care. AI can even help surgeons be quicker, more accurate, and less invasive in their operations. [26] Smart speakers including Amazon’s Echo can use AI to soothe babies to sleep and monitor their breathing. Using AI, speakers can also detect regular and irregular heartbeats, as well as heart attacks and congestive heart failure. [27][28][29] AI is even beginning to excel at creative writing, producing fiction and poetry that some readers enjoy. Some observers predict that TV and film scripts will also soon benefit from the compositional powers of AI.

Pro 2: AI makes work easier for students and professionals alike. Much like the calculator did not signal the end of students’ grasp of mathematics, typing did not eliminate handwriting, and Google did not herald the end of research skills, AI does not signal the end of reading and writing or of education in general. [78][79] Elementary school teacher Shannon Morris explains that AI tools like “ChatGPT can help students by providing real-time answers to their questions, engaging them in personalized conversations, and providing customized content based on their interests. It can also offer personalized learning resources, videos, articles, and interactive activities. This resource can even provide personalized recommendations for studying, help with research, provide context-specific answers, and offer educational games.” She also notes that teachers’ more daunting tasks like grading and making vocabulary lists can be streamlined with AI tools. [79] For adults AI can similarly make work easier and more efficient, rather than signaling the rise of the robot employee. Pesky, time-consuming tasks like scheduling and managing meetings, finding important emails amongst the spam, prioritizing tasks for the day, and creating and posting social media content can be delegated to AI, freeing up time for more important and rewarding work. The technology can also help with brainstorming, understanding difficult concepts, finding errors in code, and learning languages via conversation, making daunting tasks more manageable. [80] AI is a tool that, if used responsibly, can enhance both learning and work for everyone. Carri Spector of the Stanford Graduate School of Education says, “I think of AI literacy as being akin to driver’s ed: We’ve got a powerful tool that can be a great asset, but it can also be dangerous. We want students to learn how to use it responsibly.” [81]

Pro 3: AI helps marginalized groups by offering accessibility for people with disabilities. Artificial intelligence is commonly integrated into smartphones and other household devices. Virtual assistants, including Siri, Alexa, and Cortana, can perform innumerable tasks from making a phone call to navigating the internet. People who are deaf and hearing impaired can access transcripts of voicemail or other audio, for example. [20] Other virtual assistants can transcribe conversations as they happen, allowing for more comprehension and participation by those who have impairments that affect their communication. Using voice commands with virtual assistants can help people with mobility disabilities who may have difficulty navigating small buttons or screens or turning on a lamp. [20] Apps enabled by AI on smartphones and other devices, including VoiceOver and TalkBack, can read messages, describe app icons or images, and give information such as battery levels for visually impaired people. Other apps, such as Voiceitt, can transcribe and standardize the voices of people with speech impediments. [20] Wheelmap provides users with information about wheelchair accessibility, and Evelity offers indoor navigation tools that are customized to the user’s needs, providing audio or text instructions and routes for wheelchair accessibility. [20] Other AI implementations, such as smart thermostats, smart lighting, and smart plugs, can be automated to work on a schedule to aid people with mobility or cognitive disabilities to lead more independent lives. [21] More advanced AI projects can combine with robotics to help physically disabled people. HOOBOX Robotics, for example, uses facial recognition software to allow a wheelchair user to move their wheelchair with facial expressions, making movement easier for seniors and those with ALS or quadriparesis. [22]

Pro 4: Artificial intelligence can improve workplace safety. AI doesn’t get stressed, tired, or sick, three major causes of human accidents in the workplace. AI robots can collaborate with or replace humans for especially dangerous tasks. For example 50 percent of construction companies that used drones to inspect roofs and other risky tasks saw improvements in safety. [14][15] Artificial intelligence can also help humans be safer. For instance, AI can ensure employees are up to date on training by tracking and automatically scheduling safety or other training. AI can also check and offer corrections for ergonomics to prevent repetitive stress injuries or worse. [16] An AI program called AI-SAFE (Automated Intelligent System for Assuring Safe Working Environments) aims to automate the workplace personal protective equipment (PPE) check, eliminating human errors that could cause accidents in the workplace. As more people wear PPE to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and other viruses, this sort of AI could protect against large-scale outbreaks. [17][18][19] In India, AI was used during the coronavirus pandemic to reopen factories safely by providing camera, cell phone, and smart wearable device-based technology to ensure social distancing, take employee temperatures at regular intervals, and perform contact tracing if anyone tested positive for the virus. [18][19] AI can also perform more sensitive tasks in the workplace such as scanning work emails for improper behavior and types of harassment.[15]

Understanding the Impact Using AI Can Have On the Planet The technology could be doing more harm than good. By Lauren Wellbank Published March 26 2025, 1:04 p.m. ET Source: Igor Omilaev/Unsplash

While Artificial Intelligence — or AI, as it’s more commonly known — once seemed like something that was only possible in science fiction stories, these days, almost everyone has the technology at their fingertips. From the small things we may not even realize count as AI, like our phone’s autocorrect, to the big things that companies like Meta are doing, AI is just about everywhere.

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The seamless integration of AI into our everyday lives has caused it to become so common, in fact, that it’s actually taking quite a toll on our planet’s natural resources. Just how bad is AI for the environment? Keep reading to learn more about the different ways this technology is impacting our planet.

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How is AI bad for the environment?

A technology capable of doing everything that AI can do requires a lot of energy to perform. That energy comes at a cost, and according to Earth.org, that cost may include emitting a large amount of greenhouse gases. For those who may not remember, greenhouse gases are one of the leading causes of climate change.

The amount of energy AI requires to run will only increase over time. In fact, OpenAI researchers say that if the energy requirements continue at the pace they’ve been at since 2012, AI may be responsible for 14 percent of the world’s total greenhouse gas emissions by 2040.

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Not only that, but developing and maintaining these technologies generates a lot of electronic waste. That trash can’t exactly go to a regular landfill either, since it contains toxic elements like mercury, lead, cadmium, and other things that can contaminate water supplies and soil. Then, there’s the impact that AI will have on life itself. Driverless automobiles could be detrimental to wildlife, and targeted AI ads could cause an increase in wasteful consumer spending.

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Scientific American says that the targeted ads that are powered by AI could cause people to lean more into fast fashion to keep up with changing trends. And it’s true of more than just clothing because these ads will be designed to interact with individuals at a much more basic level than traditional advertising can, causing these types of ads to have a higher success rate when selling everything from cars to alcohol.

What can be done to make AI more environmentally friendly?

It would appear that there just aren’t enough safeguards in place to keep up with the potential environmental dangers of AI. Not only does Earth.org say that there is a lack of policies put into place to help deal with the amount of waste created by AI, but the website also says that there isn’t enough transparency when it comes to how these systems are created and operated for the purposes of oversight.

Easy, portable and convenient. The latest AI-powered wellbeing and meditation apps may sound like the ideal solution for those looking for peace in a chaotic world, but can an AI app really replace the expertise of a human meditation guide? Not easily.

Meditation aims to improve attention and self-awareness through cognitive training, improving self-regulation and bringing a variety of physical and psychological benefits, from stress reduction to better sleep and lower blood pressure.

Eyes-open meditation has attracted media interest recently, thanks to celebrity wellbeing influencers, such as Gwyneth Paltrow, extolling the virtues of the practice. It involves holding a relaxed, open gaze while staying fully present in the moment. If practised appropriately, eyes-open meditation can offer a sense of connection to the environment and a heightened awareness of surroundings.

Bhikkhu Samadhikusala, a contemporary meditation master and Buddhist monk, explained to us that in the Buddha’s teachings “meditation”, or “bhavana”, translates as “that which is to be developed”. So, meditation involves repeated training to develop and achieve a positive cognitive, emotional or reflective state.

If meditation is practised incorrectly (without proper guidance or a clear focus) it may have negative effects, such as negative emotions, increased self-criticism, or hypersensitivity – even in established meditators.

Any time, any place?

Some apps suggest that eyes-open meditation can be practised in any setting, such as the bus or a meeting, but this approach could be risky.

One of the psychological benefits of meditation and mindfulness practice is introspection and self-awareness. Meditation often takes place with eyes closed, in a quiet space, to develop tranquillity without distraction. This is particularly important for those new to meditation.

Although forms of eyes-open meditation are described in Satipaṭṭhāna Sutta, the Buddha’s teachings on mindfulness, the setting is crucial when trained instructors are not present.

Bhikkhu Samadhikusala explains that beginners or untrained people attempting to meditate in a busy, overstimulating environment could dissociate, zone out, or develop aversion toward these distractions. Quite the opposite of paying non-judgmental attention to the present moment.

What works for you?

Mindfulness interventions have been designed for a variety of settings and have shown improvements in general workplace wellbeing and recovery support for serious mental illnesses, such as psychosis.

Modern meditation approaches have tailored practices to fit busy and varied lifestyles, making it easier to incorporate mindfulness and positive states into everyday activities, such as eating, running and even colouring.

However, these practices have been scientifically developed and do not blur the lines with concentration-based meditation. They also do not require the same level of guidance and supervision.

There is a risk that following new trends in meditation could lead to negative emotional experiences, such as anxiety or depression. Meditation should address individual specific goals, so making sure you know what you want to achieve is vital. Choosing the right type of meditation ensures the practice supports your abilities and wellbeing needs.

Balancing AI and human influence

Meditation apps must appropriately support practice, rather than leaving users to go it alone. This is especially important when the support is provided by AI, rather than a human.

It’s not clear how meditation experts have been involved in developing emerging eyes-open meditation apps. Moments of Space – an app promoted by Paltrow – for example, cites a meditation writer and the background is based on Dzogchen wisdom, from the Buddhist and Bon traditions of Tibet.

While Moments of Space sounds well informed, it highlights that content is “not endorsed by these teachers, and no formal relationship or partnership exists”. We couldn’t find a clear explanation of how the app – or its AI – has used Buddhist source texts or scientifically validated methods, such as mindfulness-based cognitive therapy. The only clarification provided is a statement that the AI is “trained on the modern psychology of habitual traits and affective states, as well as the ancient mindfulness teachings”.

While the use of AI in such apps may sound innovative, the quality of the AI support will be based on the source data that has been used to develop it. With AI, if it’s unclear what source material has been used to generate meditation guidance, it’s going to be equally unclear how well it will help its users.

It’s certainly possible to meditate with your eyes open, but AI meditation apps currently don’t seem to provide enough support to deliver the intended positive effect on wellbeing.

Without a trained human to guide users away from negative states, eyes open meditation could have psychological repercussions. Developing apps to support meditation in an accessible way is well meaning, but it’s crucial they involve acknowledged experts in meditation. This ensures the apps effectively promote wellbeing as intended.

Common ingredients in disinfectant wipes are linked to health harm and can contribute to antimicrobial resistance. According to the CDC, cleaning surfaces with plain soap and water gets rid of most germs, including SARS-CoV-2. getty

Though already popular, the Covid-19 pandemic skyrocketed the demand for disinfectant wipes. Masking and vaccines were contentious along political fault lines, but the public was united in its embrace of wipes. Americans zealously wiped countertops, door knobs and even groceries.

While other pandemic precautions waned, the disinfecting frenzy continues. The American Cleaning Institute — the trade group representing disinfectant manufacturers — proudly declared that “Americans are still wild about wipes.” In North America alone, the disinfectant wipes market grew to $3.72 billion in 2023 and is expected to reach $5.64 billion by 2031.

If you’re one of the millions of Americans conscientiously using wipes, perhaps you haven’t heard the warnings from scientists. Here’s what you should know.

Common Ingredients Are Linked To Health Harms

The disinfectant wipes of popular brands often contain antimicrobial chemicals called quaternary ammonium compounds. According to a peer-reviewed paper I wrote along with 21 other scientists from 14 universities, four government agencies, and three NGOs, these chemicals can do more harm than good. We found that they are linked to reproductive, developmental, respiratory and skin harms. A more recent study from Case Western Reserve University found a link to neurological damage. Further, these chemicals can contribute to antimicrobial resistance, making certain bacteria resistant both to the antimicrobials themselves and also to critical antibiotics.

Even if you don’t use QACs yourself, you are likely still exposed as they are used in public spaces including stores, gyms, offices and schools. Residential, commercial and industrial uses of QACs release them in wastewater, which results in QACs in sewage sludge as well as water and sediments downstream of wastewater treatment plants. It’s no wonder that the levels of QACs in the environment and our bodies have increased.

Disinfectant Wipes Are Usually Unnecessary

According to the CDC, cleaning surfaces with plain soap and water gets rid of most germs, including SARS-CoV-2. The agency does not recommend disinfecting for everyday purposes. What’s the difference between cleaning and disinfecting?

Cleaning refers to the process of removing dirt, grime and other debris along with germs from surfaces, and can be accomplished with plain soap and water. In other words, soap works by removing rather than killing germs. Disinfecting refers to the process of killing germs, wiping out both good and bad microbes. Even in healthcare and other scenarios that would benefit from disinfecting, better alternatives to QACs include hydrogen peroxide, citric acid, and alcohol-based cleaning products.

What You Can Do

Clean surfaces with plain soap and water. Simply mix warm water with liquid non-antibacterial soap (the CDC recommends one teaspoon of soap per liter of water) and apply the solution to the desired area using a cloth or sponge, and scrub gently to lift contaminants. Rinse the surface with clean water to remove any soap residue and dry it with a clean towel. If you still want to use wipes, best to use wipes without QACs or other antimicrobials. Most QACs found on ingredient labels can be identified with names that end in “ammonium chloride” or similar.

It’s time to turn the page on the disinfectant craze. By embracing age-old, tried-and-true cleaning methods like soap and water, we can reduce our exposure to harmful chemicals, protect our environment, and contribute to a healthier future for generations to come.