Baruch College hosted Ethical AIms: Addressing AI in Contemporary Challenges on March 17 as part of its annual Ethics Week, bringing together students, faculty and industry professionals to examine the ethical, social and environmental implications of artificial intelligence.
The day-long event featured panels on topics ranging from higher education and social justice to environmental sustainability and creativity. Across discussions, a central question emerged: As AI expands, who benefits, who is affected and who shapes its future?
The event began with sessions on AI in higher education, where speakers emphasized responsible use in academic settings. Panelists highlighted the need to balance innovation with academic integrity as AI tools become more common in classrooms.
Later discussions focused on broader societal concerns. The AI and Social Justice panel addressed bias, fairness and discrimination, warning that poorly designed systems can reinforce existing inequalities. The following session on AI and democracy explored how AI influences misinformation and political communication, raising concerns about trust in digital information.
Speakers presented a framework showing how AI use translates into environmental harm, leading to emissions and contributes to climate damage. As models grow larger, their energy consumption increases significantly, raising concerns about sustainability.
Panelists also highlighted how electricity markets are interconnected, meaning data centers in one region can influence energy prices elsewhere. Water usage was another concern. Presentations showed that AI infrastructure can contribute to water shortages, further intensifying environmental inequality. These issues were linked to ecocide, widespread environmental destruction.
Despite these concerns, speakers proposed solutions, including improving transparency, increasing efficiency, adopting renewable energy and integrating AI regulation into environmental policy.
One speaker noted that energy consumption has been “the middle child that nobody wants to talk about.”
Students attending the event expressed both optimism and concern. “The most surprising part for me was learning about how much electricity AI uses and its impact on the climate,” Baruch graduate Anass Serhir said.
“I think AI is better for the future. It makes life easier. But I do have concerns, especially for artists. In the coming years, AI could start influencing things like music lyrics and composition.”
