AI’s environmental impact is especially relevant to contemporary society as we navigate a global climate crisis. It’s crucial to understand and consider how our AI use negatively impacts existing environmental challenges. The article we discussed in class today, The Uneven Distribution of AI’s Environmental Impacts, mentioned a key point that I think is important for all AI users to be aware of.

“the training process for a single AI model, such as a large language model, can consume thousands of megawatt hours of electricity and emit hundreds of tons of carbon. This is roughly equivalent to the annual carbon emissions of hundreds of households in America. Furthermore, AI model training can lead to the evaporation of an astonishing amount of fresh water into the atmosphere for data center heat rejection, potentially exacerbating stress on our already limited freshwater resources.” (https://hbr.org/2024/07/the-uneven-distribution-of-ais-environmental-impacts)

AI’s environmental impact matters now more than ever. Contemporary society is running out time to undo the environmental damage we have already done, and AI is only contributing to the problem. This statement encourages users to question the convenience of AI, and consider real world costs of continued unregulated AI use. The article also covered how the benefits of AI are often concentrated in wealthier, tech-driven regions, while the environmental burdens (like water shortages and energy use) are pushed off to lower-income or marginalized communities. I want to reiterate that this issue is important because it reveals the hidden cost of technological process that WILL directly impact all of our futures.

For me, the key to developing my own framework on AI use is transparency and balance. I think AI can be a great tool if we’re honest about how we use it as and make a conscience effort to not let it replace our own thinking. What we prompt, how we respond, and why we create helps us express ideas in new and effective ways. Most importantly, I want to make a conscious effort to stay aware of AI’s ethical and environmental impacts. That means being selective about the tools I use and continuing to ask questions about who creates AI, who it serves, and what consequences it may have in my community.

Generative AI has quickly become one of the most transformative technologies of our time since its mainstream debut in 2022. By early 2023, ChatGPT had gained over 100 million users, leading to widespread integration of AI into our daily lives. Using AI is not black and white, there are definitely many grey areas, especially while considering ethics and creativity which humans are still navigating.

Our readings this week raised an interesting point: “Generative AI tools are nonlegal entities and are incapable of accepting responsibility and accountability for the content within the manuscript. Additional ethical concerns beyond authorship issues include copyright implications arising from the use of third-party content, conflict of interest, and the broader concept of plagiarism which encompasses not only verbatim text copying but also the replication of ideas, methods, graphics, and other forms of intellectual output originating from others” (Lund et al.,2023) Lund and his co-authors point out that AI can’t be held responsible for what it creates. What happens if something goes wrong? and who would be held accountable? If AI writes something based on thousands of existing texts, who actually owns that work? As a student, It’s easy to blur the line between getting support and cutting corners. AI is convenient because you can ask it think critically for you, which defeats the purpose of learning. College is where students are supposed to develop their voice, and ability to communicate complex ideas.

For me, the key to developing my own perspective on academic and professional use of AI is transparency and balance. I think AI can be a great tool if we’re honest about how we use it as and make a conscience effort to not let it replace our own thinking. Just like with calculators, it’s not about banning the tech but about learning how to use it responsibly and with intention.

After our class discussions this week, I would define creativity as a process of reimagining reality through innovation and intentional action. I think of creativity as a deliberate way of shaping the world around us. Whether we’re solving problems, telling stories, or designing new systems, intentionality is what makes creativity powerful. Tools like AI can support creative work, but shouldn’t replace it.

My creative writing sample prompt: write a brief journal entry from the point of view of a yacht stewardess working during the busy summer season

I experimented with Google’s Gemini. I got inspiration for my prompt from a reality TV show called Below Deck, which follows crew members on yacht charters. I found the output interesting because of the characters it came up with (Mrs. Van Derlyn, Marco, and Eva) and because it chose to set the location in the Mediterranean. Although my prompt requested a brief journal entry, the output created a pretty engaging short story using vivid imagery, and a personal tone. I was most impressed with how Gemini integrated human emotions like frustration, appreciation, and hope.

One idea that really connected to my experience, and is a key take-away from this week is that “AI-generated art is inorganic but aesthetically appealing. It is not here to displace human-generated art but rather as a new genre that provides a different experience and should be understood and respected within its own context.” (Arriagada, 2022) AI might not create with human intention, but when we use it thoughtfully, it can still help us express ideas in new and valuable ways. What we prompt, how we respond, and why we create helps give creativity its true meaning.

My group compared Google Gemini, xAI (Grok), and Deep Seek.

Our prompt: “you’re a kitchen designer, I want to remodel my kitchen which is 4 meters long, 3 meters wide, and 2.5 meters tall. On the south side there is a big arch which covers the whole wall. Right next to it on the east side there is a doorway to the outside and exactly opposite there is a door to a staircase. On the east side there are two windows. I want you to ask me questions about the design of the kitchen one-by-one and if you have enough information I want you to describe and then generate an image based on my answers”

This is an example of both the Persona Pattern (Page 6 of the White et al article) and Chain of Thought Prompting which we talked about in class.

This prompt would be most helpful to DIY enthusiasts and homeowners while planning renovations. AI-powered image generations allows this audience to visualize their desired outcome by experimenting with different designs without committing to expensive changes. This prompt can also serve as a starting point for consultations with professional designers. 

I used a chatbot called Grok, developed by xAI. I chose this LLM because I had never worked with it before, or even heard of it until it was mentioned in class today. 

xAI’s response: 

Great! I’m excited to help you design your kitchen remodel. With the dimensions you’ve provided (4m long, 3m wide, 2.5m tall) and the layout details, I’ve got a basic picture of the space. Now, let’s refine the design with some questions to ensure it fits your needs and style: 

1. Functionality: How do you use your kitchen? Are you an avid cook needing lots of counter space and storage, or do you prefer a minimalist setup for quick meals? Do you want a dining area or an island included?

Once you answer these, I can describe the design and, if you’d like, confirm whether you want me to generate an image of it. What do you think?

We found that the first responses amongst all three LLM’s were really similar! The first question each LLM asked us in response was about the functionality of the kitchen, and how we would use it. 

Unfortunately, I realized after class that xAI is run by Elon Musk, which led me to immediately deleting my account. Please don’t forget the importance of carefully researching the corporations and individuals who benefit from our use, to avoid making the same mistake I did!!

Hi everyone! I’m Clio, I am from Columbus, Ohio. I use she/her pronouns. I’m a sophomore here at The College of Wooster, but transferred at the beginning of last fall semester. I plan to graduate with a major in Communication Studies and a minor in Spanish. Outside of school, I love traveling, meeting new people, spending time outdoors, and expressing my creativity! Lately, I’ve noticed A.I. becoming a bigger part of my daily life, which is why I’m taking this course. I want to learn how to effectively and ethically use AI, but also how to recognize it’s influence.

The image below is a picture of my last day volunteering at a Spanish Elementary School in Sevilla, Spain as a Culture and Language Assistant. This represents one of the most meaningful experiences to me during my freshman year abroad 🙂