Title: Environmental implications of artificial intelligence and the role of nursing in a sustainable future
Abstract:
Artificial intelligence (AI) technologies have transformed multiple sectors—from healthcare to environmental management—offering innovative and data-driven solutions. However, as emphasized by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) in its report “AI Has an Environmental Problem. Here’s What the World Can Do About That,” the development, training, and maintenance of AI systems have growing environmental costs. The vast energy consumption of data centers, excessive water use for cooling, and the extraction of rare minerals for hardware production contribute to increased carbon emissions and environmental degradation. These factors collectively threaten global sustainability and exacerbate the climate crisis.
UNEP proposes a multidimensional framework to mitigate these challenges. The report highlights the need for standardized metrics to assess AI’s environmental footprint, mandatory transparency regarding corporate environmental responsibility, the design of energy-efficient algorithms, adoption of renewable energy sources in data centers, and alignment of national AI strategies with environmental policies. Such measures can help ensure that technological advancement aligns with ethical and ecological principles.
The environmental consequences of AI extend beyond resource use, influencing public health and social well-being. Rising carbon emissions, air pollution, and climate-related diseases disproportionately affect vulnerable populations, deepening existing health inequities. Within this context, nursing emerges as a vital discipline bridging technology, health, and environmental stewardship. Nurses can lead efforts to integrate eco-friendly technologies in healthcare settings, advocate for energy-efficient digital health solutions, and promote the ethical and sustainable use of AI in clinical practice. Moreover, through education and advocacy, nurses can raise awareness about environmental health, contributing to the achievement of sustainable development goals.
In conclusion, integrating sustainability into AI development and implementation is essential for both planetary and human health. Nursing, as a science grounded in human–environment interaction, is uniquely positioned to advocate for policies and practices that ensure AI’s responsible and ecologically sound application. By adopting an active role in sustainability initiatives, nurses can help shape a future where technological innovation supports—not undermines—environmental and public health.
