At OnePlanet, we’re exploring how AI could enhance our platform and help users take meaningful action. From translating strategies to building helpful agents to connecting communities and driving regenerative change, the potential is vast. However, we also recognise the need to carefully consider the environmental, ethical, and security implications of integrating AI into our work. This blog reflects on ideas and possibilities as we navigate these complexities, always striving to align our efforts with a planet-regenerating, equitable future.
One area we’re investigating is the environmental impact of AI. Training and running AI models demands significant computational power, contributing to energy use and resource demands of data centres that power these systems. Tash and I attended a webinar hosted by Friends of the Earth on Can AI ever be environmentally friendly?
We were reminded of the local impact of data centres. They often strain local water supplies, drawing heavily for cooling systems and potentially affecting community access to water. They can also disrupt local ecosystems, create noise pollution, and increase energy costs for nearby residents. These community-level impacts highlight the importance of questioning where and how AI infrastructure is built and operated. The cloud feels like a misleading term when we realise that it is all stored physically.
This raises important questions about how to balance the benefits of AI with its environmental costs. One possibility we’re considering is designing systems that minimise energy usage. For example, the website agents we are designing with Mindset AI will pull information solely from curated content banks rather than the web. This approach could reduce energy consumption while providing users with accurate and aligned information.
Another idea is to design AI systems that guide users toward more sustainable behaviours. By embedding intentional biases in alignment with the 10 One Planet Living Principles, AI tools could nudge users to consider the environmental and social impact of their actions. While these biases would never dictate user choices, they might encourage more thoughtful and regenerative decision-making.
Another critical area of focus is data security and AI safety. As AI systems process large amounts of sensitive information, ensuring the privacy and protection of data becomes paramount. We aim to consider how AI tools could be designed to prioritise security while maintaining transparency in their operations. This might include exploring encryption standards, minimising data retention, and ensuring compliance with regulations like the EU AI Act to uphold ethical and secure practices.
We aim to engage in open conversations about how we use AI and the potential impacts of these tools. As we experiment with partnerships or new features, we hope to evaluate these carefully, considering their alignment with our core mission and values.
The possibilities are exciting, but they come with complexity and uncertainty. This is a journey of exploration—one where we aim to ask thoughtful questions and engage in collaborative dialogue. How can AI be used responsibly to support a regenerative future? What trade-offs might be necessary, and how can we ensure we remain aligned with our mission?
By staying open and reflective, we hope to develop AI tools and strategies that move us closer to a sustainable, equitable world. While we’re still at the beginning of this process, we’re optimistic about the path forward and committed to learning along the way.