About the Session

This workshop provides a space to pause and reflect on an important ethical concern in generative artificial intelligence (GenAI): its environmental impacts and overall sustainability. What actions, if any, can we take as individual users? What can we do as institutions?

We will start by reviewing the environmental costs associated with training and using GenAI tools and explore how these tools might be used to positively reduce climate impacts on a large scale. We will then explore a decision-making framework focused on sustainable AI use. Through guided questions, you will begin to develop a living philosophy for mindful AI use aligned with your environmental values. We will also share practical tips to help minimize carbon and water usage with AI.

By the end of this workshop, participants will be able to:

• Describe the environmental implications of GenAI
• Explore guiding questions for sustainable AI use
• Develop a personalized AI-use philosophy that embodies your environmental values
• List practical strategies to reduce carbon and water usage in AI

Register now!

This notice is to inform you that this session will be recorded, archived, and made available publicly on BCcampus.ca. By participating in this session, you acknowledge that your participation in this session may be recorded and the recording will be made available openly.

About the Facilitator

Your FLO Facilitator for this session is Emily Simpson. 

Emily Simpson (she/her) is a curriculum developer and facilitates instructor development workshops at Vancouver Community College. She brings a wealth of experience as an upgrading chemistry instructor, learning centre coordinator, and contributor to the Centre for Teaching, Learning, and Research, all with a focus on student experience and success. Her background includes a PhD in analytical chemistry, a provincial instructor diploma, and a certificate in online learning. Her goal is to enhance inclusive teaching and learning, with a  focus  on ethical and effective use of GenAI in education and fostering conversations around the tensions of using these tools.