Environmental impact of artificial intelligence: a pending debate
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.3145/infonomy.26.001Keywords:
Generative artificial intelligence, Environmental impact, Green AI, Sustainability, Energy consumption, Water consumption, CO2e emissions, Communication sciences, Educommunication, Eco-social transition, Global policiesAbstract
The arrival of generative artificial intelligence has sparked important debates within all social spheres, including communication and media education. This research seeks to delve into one of its lesser-known effects: its eco-social impact on the environment. To this end, a documentary review of research seeking to understand this reality has been carried out, analysing more than 40 publications on the subject. The studies focus especially on its energy consumption, with its resulting greenhouse gas emissions, as well as on water consumption. However, other phases of its life cycle, such as the extraction of raw materials or the manufacturing of the equipment that supports artificial intelligence, will not be addressed. We found a lack of studies that take a comprehensive view of the impact of the entire life cycle of artificial intelligence. The results would show a high impact of generative artificial intelligence on the environment, with worse repercussions in the countries of the Global South despite not being its main beneficiaries. Researchers agree on the need to commit to "Green AI" as opposed to the current majority trend of "Red AI", which prioritises performance without taking sustainability into account. This reality should be taken into account when updating media education proposals that seek a more critical and sustainable use of digital tools, as well as when formulating global policy proposals that minimise such impacts.References
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