Eileen Jamieson
Learn more about AI's link to sustainability, responsible AI usage and policies at UWE Bristol
With every passing day, it can seem like AI is becoming a hotter and hotter topic...literally. The capabilities and usage of AI have boomed over the last few years, and it’s now a huge part of modern life, both online and offline. From some aspects, this is great news, with one example being the implementation of AI in the medical field- AI can be used to analyse patient data, and even spot diseases the human eye could miss on scans.
In other aspects, it can be damaging, with subsequent negative effects such as : job losses, with a quarter of people surveyed reported fearing that AI replace them in the next 5 years ; intellectual property theft due to generative AI models sampling any art, media and writing available on the internet without the original creator’s permission, as well as AI’s long lasting effects on the environment:
Most people have heard about the environmental impact, but what is the real cost of using of generative AI?
For every chat GPT query you make, it takes one pint of water to cool the system; estimations put the daily water consumption of ChatGPT at 148.28 million litres! - Source,Source
Data centres generate up to 3.7% of global greenhouse gas emissions - Source
A 2024 study found that each month ChatGPT produces more than 260,930 kilograms of CO2- this is equal to the carbon emissions of 260 flights from New York City to London. - Source
Find out here, with some tips and tricks on how to be mindful when using AI!
Conscious use of AI: Practical tips and thoughts from environmental researchers
How to use AI sustainably: a practical guide for greener tech
Think before you prompt: Reduce your AI carbon footprint with ROCKS
Using AI Responsibly: 6 Ways to Make Your AI Usage More Sustainable
Students are encouraged to have their say on AI usage here at UWE - in May 2025, an idea was opened and passed on UWE’s Student ideas page: ‘Change UWE’s Social media policy to stop official accounts using AI Generated Images, instead Using Student Generated Art and Posts’. 169 total votes were cast, with an incredibly positive response- only 4 votes were in opposition to the idea!
Some students left feedback on the poll, justifying why they personally voted for the AI art ban: “It would be great to see UWE set a good example of commissioning actual artists... considering the opportunities it could provide for the artists at Bower Ashton.”
“For a school that prides itself on sustainability and going green, the promotion of AI for art undermines the ability to say we are a green school as AI wastes valuable natural resources for ease and convenience.”
“AI is a tool, not a replacement for artists!”
The overwhelmingly positive response led to the idea being passed in July 2025, banning the use of generative AI from UWE Bristol on social media.
UWE offer free AI literacy sessions to UWE students and staff, covering topics such as the benefits, ethical issues and key limitations of generative AI - bookable here.
Care about sustainability here at UWE Bristol? Why not join The Green team – a friendly and relaxed group of students interested in sustainability. Email thegreenteam@uwe.ac.uk to find out more.
UWE Bristol acknowledges that many students will use AI during their degree, and so have published a guide for students; highlighting how to use and reference AI. This includes good practice and policies to avoid plagiarism, art theft, and breaking copyright laws. UWE Bristol is committed to harnessing the transformative potential of generative AI to enhance learning, teaching and assessment. With aims to support students and staff to become AI-literate, equipped to drive progress and innovation through the ethical use of these powerful technologies. In addition to these policies, The Student’s Union at UWE and UWE Bristol work to highlight the negative impact of AI and the detriment it can cause.
Photo by Nahrizul Kadri on Unsplash