WAI Connect: What Can You Do About AI's Environmental Impact?
AI has an environmental impact. Global data centre electricity consumption is projected to more than double by 2030. Data centres also need water for cooling, with one widely cited study estimating around 500 ml of water for a series of roughly 5 to 50 ChatGPT prompts, depending on where and when the model is running.
Yes, we know. But what can we actually do about it?
Most of us aren't deciding where the next data centre gets built.
And if your company has already decided that Copilot, ChatGPT or an AI agent is part of your job, simply not using AI isn't a particularly useful answer either.
From knowing about the problem to knowing how to manage it
Join sustainability & AI strategist Madalina Buzdugan for an interactive lunchtime session on what sustainable AI can look like in practice, and what you can actually do about it.
If you've ever felt even a smidgen of doom and gloom about AI's environmental impact, we'll help you understand enough of the problem to make more informed decisions.
Then we'll spend our time on the harder, and much more useful, question:
What can I do about it?
We'll look at that from three levels.
Personally
What choices can you make in the way you use AI every day? How can you become more conscious about when and how you're using these tools, even when you don't get to choose which tools your organisation gives you?
At work
What can you bring back to your manager, team or organisation? You don't need sustainability or responsible AI in your job title to start asking better questions or changing how your team approaches AI.
Beyond your organisation
Where can individual and organisational choices contribute to bigger, structural change?
This session will help you understand where you have influence and where you actually have room to take action.
Agenda
12:00 – 12:25 | The environmental impact of AI, and what we can do about it
An applied session with Madalina on AI's environmental impact and where we actually have room to take action.
12:25 – 12:40 | Breakout conversations
We'll split into small groups to talk about where AI shows up in our work and lives, what feels within our control and where we're getting stuck.
12:40 – 12:55 | Build your Sustainable AI Manifesto
Turn the discussion into something practical you can implement. Start defining your own principles, questions and thresholds for using AI more consciously.
12:55 – 13:00 | Wrap-up
Share reflections, questions and what you're taking away.
13:00 – 13:30 | Optional networking
Stay online if you'd like to continue the conversation. We'll put you into small groups so you can meet other attendees, swap perspectives and, if you'd like, exchange details to connect afterwards.
Meet Madalina Buzdugan
Madalina works at the intersection of sustainability strategy and AI adoption. She helps sustainability, leadership and operations teams understand Sustainable AI and build AI literacy, while also working with organisations on sustainability strategy, from carbon footprints and ESG frameworks to SBTi, EcoVadis and circular economy projects.
Who is this for?
If you're using AI, shaping how it's used, building with it or researching it, this session is for you.
This session isn't exclusive to women. Everyone is welcome.