I've been avoiding the AI ethics conversation but....

With so much uncertainty, I wanted to find a way to add value to you, non-profit leaders, with no intent to sell you anything here. I figured I'd create these Weekly Emails I call Monday Motivational Minute because Mondays are historically the roughest days, and a minute . . . well because you're very busy people. In these, I'll add creative, quick, actionable takeaways for you to try (All in a minute read). No pressure, no need to respond, read at your leisure or unsubscribe if it doesn't add value.

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Top of the Monday Morning to ya!,

I've been desperately trying to avoid the AI ethics and environmental impact conversation, but let's rip the band-aid off! YOLO🫣😖 

I tried to stay out of debates because I'm openly hypocritical about AI. I'm both a huge advocate for its capabilities, while petrified by the future it will bring us and our children. But, since it's extremely important to you, it's important to me. So here are some helpful facts, to help you make informed decisions....or confuse you more.🤷🏾‍♂️ 

Here's the uncomfortable reality: Even "ethical" AI companies struggle. Anthropic left OpenAI to "do AI ethical and right," yet just lost a billion-dollar lawsuit for using copyrighted content without permission. Nobody's hands are completely clean. 

The Energy Numbers:
One ChatGPT query: ~0.002 kWh
One Google search: ~0.0003 kWh
Your daily Google searches: ~2.5 kWh 

Training GPT-3: Same carbon as 5 cars' lifetime 

Your organization's annual conference via air travel: Same carbon as 50-500 cars' lifetime 

Current "Acceptable" Practices You're Already Doing:
Zoom meetings (massive data center energy)
Cloud storage (24/7 server farms)
Staff commuting (transportation emissions)
Printed materials (deforestation, chemicals)
Office heating/cooling (40% of building energy) 

The Nuanced Reality:
Microsoft's water usage increased 34% for AI (concerning), BUT AI-optimized data centers are becoming 40% more energy-efficient annually. Google's AI reduces their cooling needs by 30%. AI accelerates sustainable technology development. 

Meanwhile, the FTC just opened an investigation into all major AI companies' impact on children and teens.

Actionable Task: Make conscious choices:

Evaluate AI use against your life-changing mission impact. If AI saves you 10 hours weekly to serve 20 more human beings in desperate need, does that outweigh the environmental cost? Only you can decide.

Remember: Perfect environmental ethics would mean no technology at all, but that wouldn't serve your community. The question isn't whether to use impactful tools, but how to maximize benefit while minimizing harm. 

I wouldn't want to be you in-between this rock and this hard place.🫣 Good Luck.

Regis Arzu  (he/him/his)
[email protected]
CoVoice | CEO
720.460.1813
covoice.io

P.S. Know another ED holding it all together with grit and grace? Forward this their way. We’re not meant to lead alone, and together, we go farther.

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