Session
Organizer 1: Civil Society, Latin American and Caribbean Group (GRULAC)
Organizer 2: Civil Society, Latin American and Caribbean Group (GRULAC)
Organizer 3: Civil Society, Latin American and Caribbean Group (GRULAC)
Organizer 4: Civil Society, Latin American and Caribbean Group (GRULAC)
Organizer 5: Civil Society, Western European and Others Group (WEOG)
Organizer 2: Civil Society, Latin American and Caribbean Group (GRULAC)
Organizer 3: Civil Society, Latin American and Caribbean Group (GRULAC)
Organizer 4: Civil Society, Latin American and Caribbean Group (GRULAC)
Organizer 5: Civil Society, Western European and Others Group (WEOG)
Speaker 1: André Fernandes, Civil Society, Latin American and Caribbean Group (GRULAC)
Speaker 2: Umut Pajaro Velasquez, Civil Society, Latin American and Caribbean Group (GRULAC)
Speaker 3: Jess Reia, Civil Society, Western European and Others Group (WEOG)
Speaker 4: Mariana Canto Sobral, Civil Society, Western European and Others Group (WEOG)
Speaker 2: Umut Pajaro Velasquez, Civil Society, Latin American and Caribbean Group (GRULAC)
Speaker 3: Jess Reia, Civil Society, Western European and Others Group (WEOG)
Speaker 4: Mariana Canto Sobral, Civil Society, Western European and Others Group (WEOG)
Format
Roundtable
Duration (minutes): 90
Format description: The choice of a roundtable format for the workshop is strategic, as it aims to promote democratic interaction among all participants, allowing each one to contribute their perspectives and experiences on the topic at hand. This discussion model is ideal for addressing complex issues that require a multidisciplinary and inclusive approach. The proposed duration of 90 minutes for the session is essential to ensure a deep and productive discussion. This time allows for the presentation of relevant cases, critical exploration of the topic by the panelists, and also guarantees space for interaction with the audience, fostering collective construction. The session's length ensures that viewpoints are considered and that discussions are not rushed, creating a fertile environment for the development of meaningful insights and the planning of follow-up actions related to the topic.
Duration (minutes): 90
Format description: The choice of a roundtable format for the workshop is strategic, as it aims to promote democratic interaction among all participants, allowing each one to contribute their perspectives and experiences on the topic at hand. This discussion model is ideal for addressing complex issues that require a multidisciplinary and inclusive approach. The proposed duration of 90 minutes for the session is essential to ensure a deep and productive discussion. This time allows for the presentation of relevant cases, critical exploration of the topic by the panelists, and also guarantees space for interaction with the audience, fostering collective construction. The session's length ensures that viewpoints are considered and that discussions are not rushed, creating a fertile environment for the development of meaningful insights and the planning of follow-up actions related to the topic.
Policy Question(s)
A. How does environmental opacity operate throughout the AI lifecycle, and why does it hinder accountability for AI’s environmental impacts?
B. How can transparency about the environmental impacts of AI be effectively implemented, and in what ways can this transparency benefit the environment as a whole?
C. How can we balance the need for AI innovation with environmental preservation, especially considering energy consumption, natural resource use, and electronic waste (e-waste) generation?
What will participants gain from attending this session? Participants will gain a deeper understanding of how AI's energy consumption is growing exponentially, with a tendency to continue increasing, raising significant environmental concerns and sustainability challenges. Through the analysis of concrete, real-world cases, they will learn about environmental opacity in the tech sector and how this directly impacts the climate crisis. By the end, participants will leave with a clearer understanding of the environmental costs of technology and actionable insights to help them make more informed decisions in their respective fields, whether by recognizing the importance of transparency obligations and how to advocate for them, adopting mitigation strategies, or integrating sustainability principles into AI policies and practices.
SDGs
Description:
In the face of a global climate crisis, it is essential to discuss the environmental impacts of technologies that directly contribute to it, such as Artificial Intelligence (AI). The widespread idea that technology is a natural ally in addressing environmental challenges creates a disconnect between public perception and reality, fostering the false notion that technological solutions are inherently sustainable. In this context, we cannot ignore the ecological impacts intrinsic to the production of such technologies, even if their stated purpose is to solve current and future environmental problems. This workshop aims to analyze the environmental impacts involved in the AI development cycle, using real-world cases already underway as a starting point. It will highlight the mechanisms that contribute, intentionally or not, to keeping these impacts opaque, examining informational, technological, and structural barriers that hinder adequate access to information on the topic. With the participation of experts from around the world, the workshop will discuss the global impacts of AI development, examining strategic information that may be omitted about these impacts, which go beyond direct ecological footprints, such as the energy demand for machine training. Including the creation of inequality chains in which the Global South bears the burdens, while the Global North gains the benefits of these business models and technological development. The goal is to establish a constructive debate and, ultimately, develop a basic set of recommendations to be adopted. These may include transparency obligations, environmental damage mitigation measures, and the inclusion of steps in the AI development cycle to ensure a dedicated focus on socio-environmental aspects.
In the face of a global climate crisis, it is essential to discuss the environmental impacts of technologies that directly contribute to it, such as Artificial Intelligence (AI). The widespread idea that technology is a natural ally in addressing environmental challenges creates a disconnect between public perception and reality, fostering the false notion that technological solutions are inherently sustainable. In this context, we cannot ignore the ecological impacts intrinsic to the production of such technologies, even if their stated purpose is to solve current and future environmental problems. This workshop aims to analyze the environmental impacts involved in the AI development cycle, using real-world cases already underway as a starting point. It will highlight the mechanisms that contribute, intentionally or not, to keeping these impacts opaque, examining informational, technological, and structural barriers that hinder adequate access to information on the topic. With the participation of experts from around the world, the workshop will discuss the global impacts of AI development, examining strategic information that may be omitted about these impacts, which go beyond direct ecological footprints, such as the energy demand for machine training. Including the creation of inequality chains in which the Global South bears the burdens, while the Global North gains the benefits of these business models and technological development. The goal is to establish a constructive debate and, ultimately, develop a basic set of recommendations to be adopted. These may include transparency obligations, environmental damage mitigation measures, and the inclusion of steps in the AI development cycle to ensure a dedicated focus on socio-environmental aspects.
Expected Outcomes
1. Raise awareness among policymakers, researchers, and AI developers about the environmental impacts of AI, particularly the hidden costs of energy consumption, resource extraction, and e-waste generation. Develop educational materials for social media to explain the concept of environmental opacity and its implications.
2. Develop actionable recommendations (which will be compiled into a policy brief) to mitigate environmental harms, including transparency obligations, risk mitigation measures for vulnerable territories and populations, and socio-environmental integration into the AI development cycle.
3. Foster collaboration among civil society organizations, academia, the private sector, and policymakers to address the environmental challenges of AI development. Organize follow-up events, such as webinars or workshops, to deepen the dialogue and explore implementation strategies.
4. Produce a comprehensive report summarizing the key discussions, case studies, and proposals from the session. This report will serve as a foundational document for future initiatives and advocacy efforts.
Hybrid Format: We will use a chat with a dedicated moderator to collect input from remote participants, ensuring balanced interaction between onsite and online attendees. Additionally, a collaborative document will be shared, focusing on recommendations related to environmental impacts, allowing both in-person and virtual participants to contribute their insights. This approach ensures inclusivity and active engagement from all attendees, regardless of their location.
To enhance the hybrid experience, we will leverage interactive tools such as live polls or Q&A platforms to facilitate real-time participation and feedback. The session will be designed with clear time allocations for audience interaction, ensuring that both online and onsite participants have equal opportunities to engage with speakers and contribute to the discussion.