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How can you feel like a good person while incorporating AI into your business?

I know AI is a growing tool and can be very useful in the business setting. But the environmental impact is very real and very scary. We may not think that a simple entry on Claude will affect our own water usage, but in the near future that could very well be the case. #Spring26

technology spring26 business-management business-development human-resources ai artificial-intelligence sustainability humanresources climatechange techforgood greentechnology water-quality environmentalimpact pollution water-pollution waterusage
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John’s Answer

Hi Carrie.
It's a great question and one I think everyone dealing with AI needs to consider. Let's look at it from a couple of perspectives...

1. Users of AI
Is your use of AI really justified or could you get the task done another way? AI does make things easy when used well, but I think using it sparingly is the best approach. If you are using it, are you using it from a reputable provider? Are you using the best model for what you want to do? Or could you be using it in a more sustainable way. Many of the companies that I work with on their AI deployments WON'T run it on the cloud because their data is sensitive. As such, they have much more control over how and where it's deployed and hence the environmental costs.

2. Providers of AI
If you accept that the vast majority of AI use is inference then is there a better way to support inference users rather than using the same technologies for this as you do for training? There are a lot of new innovations in chips / accelerators / systems that support inference only and do it at a much lower energy footprint than using a GPU for this. Then there are the models themselves. Do you really need a massive model to do what you need to do? Or would a smaller more-focused model actually deliver the same or better results?

There are lots of things that can be done to make AI more sustainable but it demands both the users and providers to think about this and act accordingly.
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Jess’s Answer

The key is in each person's social responsibility. AI is a powerful tool that can help you be more productive and turn the impossible into possible. It all depends on how you use it. For example, research that once took weeks can now be done in days with AI. This means you have more time to use your skills and give back to society.
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yanzi’s Answer

Ask yourself honestly:

Are you using AI to help people work better, or just to squeeze costs?
Does it reduce drudgery, improve quality, or increase access?

If AI is freeing employees from repetitive work, helping customers faster, or enabling better decisions, that’s a strong ethical foundation.
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Vidhyasagar’s Answer

Use AI for tasks it can complete much faster than you. If you can find something with just two clicks, skip using AI.
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Chaitra’s Answer

Use AI in a way that is honest, transparent, and genuinely helps people, not just profits you. When your intention is ethical and you still keep a human touch, you can feel confident and good about using it.
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Teklemuz Ayenew’s Answer

Using AI in business can make you feel like a good person if you use it wisely instead of avoiding it completely. It's normal to worry about its environmental impact since AI uses electricity and water, especially in data centers. But remember, a single use has a small impact, and the larger effect comes from using it heavily and often. The key is to find a responsible balance, not aim for perfection or zero impact.

Rather than focusing on fear, consider if AI is replacing more resource-heavy tasks like meetings, repetitive admin work, or research, or if it's just adding extra steps. Over time, see if it changes how you work, like in writing or communication, and use it thoughtfully, like a mental budget. Use AI when it clearly helps, but not by default. Clear prompts can reduce unnecessary back-and-forth, and some choices are best left to humans, especially in sensitive or strategic situations where trust is crucial. Responsibility is shared with AI providers, depending on how efficiently systems run and what energy sources they use. Ultimately, it's about developing simple habits, being transparent when needed, and adjusting as you learn what truly benefits you.
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Mario’s Answer

Hey Carrie, that's definitely a global concern, and I appreciate you bringing it up!

AI, automation, MML, and all that are everywhere in every industry, so it's normal to feel some bias impacting our daily lives. That's true and it can be challenging, but I really recommend embracing the challenge!

How? Just connect with how you can take advantage of these tools. Remember, you’re the one who makes the final call and can adjust based on your experience. Think about it in terms of your daily activities—like when you ask Gemini a prompt that you control. The more you use these tools, the more you'll see their great potential, but always remember, it’s your final decision and criteria that matter!

Cheers!
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David’s Answer

AI is a powerful but still growing tool, and it does have a real environmental impact. Systems like those developed by OpenAI and Anthropic run on large data centers that use electricity and water for cooling. A single prompt or passive user, uses only a very small amount of resources. The impact becomes more significant when millions of people use AI every day(which is already happening). This doesn’t mean you should avoid AI altogether, but it does mean we should use it thoughtfully and encourage companies to keep improving efficiency and sustainability as the technology continues to grow and develop. Ignoring or abstaining from AI will not solve the problem alone.
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Sandeep’s Answer

Hello Carrie,

It’s a valid concern, and the key is using AI thoughtfully rather than excessively. You can focus on using AI where it genuinely adds value like improving efficiency or reducing waste rather than for unnecessary tasks.

You can also be mindful by choosing responsible usage, limiting overuse, and supporting companies that invest in sustainable practices. In many cases, AI can actually help reduce overall resource use if applied carefully, so it’s more about balance than avoidance.
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Jessica’s Answer

You can feel good about using AI in your business by using it responsibly and intentionally. Focus on using AI to improve efficiency, reduce waste, support people rather than replace them unnecessarily, and avoid excessive or careless usage. Like any technology, the impact depends on how thoughtfully it’s used.
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Diana’s Answer

That's a great question! Think of AI as a helpful tool, not something to replace your own thinking or work. It's really useful, but you don't need to use it for every email. Try using it for the right tasks, and talk to others about how they find a good balance. Keep learning about AI and find ways to use it responsibly. You might even share your ideas with a teacher or your school to see if they can try something new and implement your ideas. Many people feel the same way, and it's important to stay responsible while also keeping up with others who use AI.
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Mike’s Answer

I think we as a society can solve more than one problem at a time. We definitely need to solve for environmental impact of AI data centers. But we also need to pursue the development of this technology both from an economic and security perspective. As long as we are open and honest about the problems we are facing/creating, we should be able to solve for them. If we pretend that these problems don't exist, then we are in a boatload of trouble.
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David’s Answer

Your reflection is very important because you highlight something that many prefer to overlook: technology also has an environmental impact. The goal is not to reject artificial intelligence, but rather to use it with care and responsibility. To feel good about using AI in your business, shift your focus from "using it just because it's trendy" to using it in a conscious and strategic manner. It is not about using AI for everything, but only for what truly adds value—such as automating repetitive tasks, improving inventory management, or reducing errors. You can take pride in using AI in an informed, efficient manner that aligns with a responsible vision for your business.
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Katelynn’s Answer

I see AI as a tool that helps get things started or speeds up processes. It's excellent for coming up with ideas, but humans need to step in to make sure everything is accurate and doesn't cause problems later on. In my job, AI helps automate tasks like taking notes, sending follow-up emails, and drafting initial communication. This saves us time and lets us focus on more strategic work. However, it's important to be mindful of the effects AI might have and always review its work to avoid any negative outcomes.
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Michele’s Answer

Look into how you can use AI in a way that's good for the planet. There are simple steps you can take to reduce your environmental impact while using AI. If you use AI at work, check if your company has promised to help the environment and see what they're doing to cut down on their impact.
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Melanie’s Answer

Continue to remind yourself and others that AI does not replace people. For example, the Human-in-the-Loop process is required and relies on a person's subject matter expertise.
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Amanda’s Answer

There is a delicate balance to think about when you use AI. For tasks that can be completed easily for you that you do not need to improve efficiency on, what is the real benefit to you to use AI for it (given the known costs)? For tasks and workflows that are more challenging, would benefit from refinement and efficiencies, that may be a better case for using AI. We want the work we produce to be still human driven, but AI powered. You want to be sure you are trained on AI and understand its projected effects, but it does not have to be all consuming. Intentional use is ideal.
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Supreeti’s Answer

It is a very valid point and sometimes I think the same- how can we make its use more ethical and safe. AI is like Pandora's box, which offers a lot of good but at the same time there is negative impact to society as well. It implies although we cannot control all events but we can control our response, how we use it. Innovation towards cleaner technology, smarter more intentional use, investing in ethical use, implementing it with guardrails and building better systems for society.
Now that it is the current norm, learning to use it where it can be leveraged to create value and reduce overall footprint will shape the kind of world we build for generations to come. Treat it like energy, and use it when absolutely needed- in business or any other field but just be mindful. Good luck!
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Joe’s Answer

Consider the effects of any change carefully. Here are some ideas:

Every technological advancement can have negative effects on the environment or society, like the cotton gin did. Instead of trying to stop progress, it's better to find ways to manage and benefit from it.

AI data centers use a lot of water and electricity. To address this, designers are exploring cleaner energy sources, like nuclear power, and using the heat from data centers to help local communities, similar to how Iceland heats its sidewalks with geothermal energy. In China, there are underwater data centers cooled by the ocean.

AI can increase productivity, freeing up time and resources to improve our world and lives. Use AI wisely and responsibly, knowing that 15 queries use about a teaspoon of water. Look for ways to support AI's potential to enhance life while reducing its environmental impact.
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Sumith’s Answer

To be honest, I don't, but as someone involved in building AI, I stick to a few important guidelines.

When creating AI, I consider:
1. Does this request need the full AI process, or can we get an answer without it?
2. Is this request valuable?
3. Does using AI for this request make sense, considering the resources it uses?

When using AI, I ask:
1. Do I need a quick response? Why is speed important here?

I am hopeful about the future. AI operations are becoming more efficient, which means less use of natural resources. For example, Microsoft plans to build a data center in Wisconsin that cools without using much water. I believe we'll see more innovations like this that help conserve resources.
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Barb’s Answer

AI is becoming a huge tool in business, and it can be really helpful. But I think the environmental side of it is something people still do not fully think about. A quick prompt on Claude might feel harmless, but behind it are data centers using a lot of electricity and water to keep everything running. So even if it does not seem like it affects us directly right now, that could change pretty quickly in the future. I do not think that means we should stop using AI, but I do think we need to be more thoughtful about how often we use it and more honest about the trade-offs that come with it.

Best of luck!
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Vishal’s Answer

When new technology hits the market, it often lacks rules for responsible use. But as it becomes more common, using it responsibly becomes important. Here's what can happen:

1. Companies should prioritize their customers by investing in sustainable practices and finding ways to reduce costs.
2. Government bodies will create and enforce rules for its use.
3. Your feedback matters: Speak up by asking questions and voicing concerns to local councils and elected officials.

AI is now a key tool, and not using it could set you back. I recommend using AI while also pushing for responsible development that minimizes harm to society.
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Leonardo’s Answer

I think the key is using AI responsibly and intentionally instead of treating it like an unlimited resource. AI can absolutely improve productivity, education, healthcare, and accessibility, but it is also important to recognize that it has environmental costs such as energy and water consumption from large data centers.

For businesses, I believe the goal should be balance. Companies can use AI where it truly adds value while also making efforts to reduce waste in other areas, choose efficient tools, and avoid unnecessary overuse. In many cases, AI can even help reduce environmental impact by improving logistics, reducing paper usage, optimizing energy consumption, or automating repetitive tasks more efficiently.

I also think it is important to stay informed and ask ethical questions like the one you raised. Technology itself is not inherently good or bad — it depends on how people choose to use it. Businesses that combine innovation with responsibility, transparency, and sustainability will likely create the most positive long-term impact.
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Wendy’s Answer

It's great that you're thinking about these important issues. We all play a part in shaping our future, and taking time to consider this is crucial.

If you feel comfortable when you are at work or even with your educational institution, try to find out what if any sustainability KPIs or goals might exist with AI sustainability or AI ethics.

Personally, I have engaged with business resource groups at my work on this topic and that's been another avenue to get topics like this up to our executive leadership that sponsor these BRGs.
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