C Curriculum Explorer
Computing·Artificial Intelligence·conceptual

AI and the Environment

AI needs huge amounts of energy and water to train; data centres and their environmental cost; but AI can also help — predicting weather, monitoring deforestation, optimising energy; trade-offs

Suggested ages 9–11

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Evidence of understanding

  • Explain that training AI models uses a lot of electricity and water
  • Give at least two examples of AI being used to help the environment
  • Describe the trade-off between AI's environmental cost and its environmental benefits

Assessment prompt

Could AI and the Environment explain that AI needs a lot of energy to work but can also be used to help protect the environment, and discuss whether the trade-off is worth it?

Standards alignment

No external standards are linked to this topic.