Students and instructors in discussion at the AI & The Environment Lunch and Learn. Provided by Cicada Hill.
Written By: Cicada Hill
On Thursday, March 27th, Seton Hill’s Sustainability Task Force and the Task Force for AI hosted a “Lunch and Learn” event regarding AI (Artificial Intelligence) and the environment. Professor of English and Director of the Honors Program, Christine Cusick’s Writing The Environment course, Professor of English, Emily Wierszewski’s Composition and Culture, and Director of Service Experience, Amanda DeWitt’s SLA 400 Setonian Seminar students gathered together in the Greensburg room to discuss the negative impact AI has on the environment.
During the Lunch and Learn, students and faculty joined in discussion before splitting into small groups. Those involved explored their knowledge surrounding AI and considered what the future of the environment may look like with Artificial Intelligence present.
“Talking about the alarming impacts that AI has on the natural world made me even more conscious of my intentional and unintentional
use of it,” Katelyn Frattaroli, a third-year Seton Hill English Education student, stated after attending the conference, “As well as how I grow my knowledge around the subject of AI.”
Following group discussions, students were invited to share their thoughts. Various scholars stood up and expressed their opinions and their group’s conclusions. “I learned, and even brought to life, the questions that I still have in regards to AI and the environment,” Frattaroli stated.
Frattaroli left the Lunch and Learn with a desire to take action. “The conference helped start conversations, but it is not the end,” she stated, “And we, as a community
and as human beings, need to continue growing our understanding of AI and the environment.”