Artificial Intelligence (AI) has rapidly become a part of everyday life, from writing tools and chatbots to customer support and appointment systems. But while AI is often spoken of as a modern convenience, there are negative impacts that many people, especially small business owners, aren’t yet aware of.
Throughout this article, we’ll be breaking down what AI really means for our planet, including how much energy it uses, how it contributes to carbon emissions, and why its growing demand for hardware matters. We’ll also explore the positive side of AI, such as how it can support healthcare, emergency response, education, and accessibility. And finally, we’ll explain how local businesses can use AI responsibly, not as a replacement for your expertise, but as a helpful tool to support you in your day-to-day work.
As always, we’ll keep things simple and avoid unnecessary jargon. Let’s get started!