The Hidden Costs of AI
Quick 5-minute starter on the environmental footprint of AI and the data centres that power it.
Preparation
- Load slides 1–7 on the projector or board.
- Optional: have one short article or graphic ready showing AI energy use or data centres.
Learning objectives
- Understand that AI runs in physical data centres that use electricity and water
- Recognise that AI has a carbon footprint linked to energy use and hardware
- Consider how to balance the benefits of AI with its environmental costs
Instructions
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Display the title slide and introduce the idea that AI has hidden environmental costs
Slide 1
Keep the tone curious rather than alarming
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Show the Did You Know facts and read the key statistics aloud
Slide 2
Listen for students who assume digital activities are "free" for the planet because they are online.
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Ask "Every time you use AI it requires electricity and water — should we care?" — students discuss in pairs, then reveal answers
Slide 3-4
Pair Discussion
Listen for students who assume digital activities are free for the planet because they are online
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Ask "Who is responsible for AI's environmental impact?" — students discuss in pairs, then reveal answers
Slide 5-6
Pair Discussion
Draw out the shared responsibility angle — companies, governments, and users all play a role
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Display the Using AI Responsibly key takeaways and summarise
Slide 7
Keep the tone balanced — the goal is not to scare students away from AI but to promote thoughtful use
Key definitions
- Data Centre
- A facility housing thousands of computer servers that store and process data. AI relies on massive data centres that use large amounts of electricity (for computing) and water (for cooling).
- Carbon Footprint
- The total greenhouse gas emissions caused by an activity. AI's carbon footprint comes from electricity generation, hardware manufacturing, and cooling systems in data centres.
Differentiation
Support
Provide a simple diagram of a data centre and a short glossary of key terms. Check understanding in small groups and allow extra thinking time.
Stretch
Invite students to research one real example of a data centre or AI service and estimate its potential carbon footprint using public sources.
SEND
Use visual supports and step-by-step explanations. Offer alternative ways to respond (spoken, written, or using sentence starters) for students who find open discussion challenging.
Extension activities
- Ask students to design a short "eco‑smart AI use" poster or slide for your classroom, with 3 practical tips for using AI responsibly. Next lesson