Where Is the Environment in AI Ethics? Integrating Ecoliteracy Into AI Literacy

Where Is the Environment in AI Ethics? Integrating Ecoliteracy Into AI Literacy

연구 분야: Artificial Intelligence

학회: International Conference on Artificial Intelligence in Education

With the rapid advancement of AI, particularly Generative AI, and the surrounding hype, concerns about its environmental impact have intensified. While some AI researchers have long warned about AI’s resource consumption, mainstream attention has only recently increased. We attribute this to a broader lack of ecoliteracy among the public, compounded by varying levels of AI literacy. Ecoliteracy—the ability to understand natural systems and apply this knowledge to build sustainable communities—is essential as AI adoption expands across many realms, including education. We advocate for professional development (PD) programs that integrate AI literacy with ecoliteracy, equipping teachers and education leaders to make environmentally responsible decisions about AI-driven educational tools. Without such efforts, AI use in education will intensify resource demands, exacerbating ecosystem degradation and resource depletion. To address this, we propose a framework that integrates ecoliteracy into AI literacy for educator PD, highlighting activities that promote environmentally responsible AI adoption.