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AI & Energy Resources

Summary

This resource collection explores the rapidly evolving relationship between artificial intelligence and energy systems, helping high school students understand both the opportunities and challenges AI presents for our energy future. Through engaging activities, real-world data, and systems-level analysis, students investigate how AI is reshaping energy demand, infrastructure, and environmental impacts, while connecting these concepts to real student questions and real-world applications.

Included Lessons

1. AI & Energy

This lesson introduces students to the complex relationship between artificial intelligence and energy use, encouraging them to evaluate both the benefits and drawbacks of AI in modern energy systems.

Lesson Features:

    • Teacher Guide: A comprehensive guide to support instruction, including lesson structure, facilitation tips, and key discussion points
    • Handout: A classroom activity where students analyze AI energy consumption by developing a pros and cons list

Through this lesson, students build critical thinking skills as they assess tradeoffs between technological advancement and energy sustainability.

2. AI, Data Centers, and Energy

This lesson focuses on the infrastructure behind AI data centers and examines how their rapid growth is increasing demand for electricity and other resources.

Lesson Features:

    • Data Set: Students analyze trends in global and U.S. data center electricity use and explore how AI is accelerating this growth
    • Reading: An informational text explaining what data centers are and why they are essential in modern life
    • Answer Key: Provides support for both the reading and data analysis activities

Students engage with both scientific concepts and systems-level impacts, including electricity demand, resource use, and infrastructure development.

Ask Me Anything: AI & Energy Distribution

This AMA features a real student question about how artificial intelligence is shaping the future of energy systems. In this short, accessible read, students explore how AI can help manage electricity demand, coordinate distributed energy resources, and improve grid efficiency—while also considering the challenges of modernizing existing infrastructure.

Best used for:

  • Class discussion starters
  • Bell ringers or exit tickets
  • Connecting classroom learning to real-world applications

Read the full AMA: How Will AI Start Pairing with Energy Distribution?

Instructional Value

Together, these resources help students:

  • Understand the relationship between AI, energy demand, and infrastructure
  • Develop data analysis and interpretation skills
  • Evaluate environmental and societal tradeoffs
  • Apply systems thinking to real-world energy challenges

Best Fit For

  • High school environmental science and energy units
  • Lessons on technology and society
  • Units exploring electricity demand and infrastructure
  • Discussions on resource use and energy systems