Sustainable AI
Included in Terra.do membership
This four-week course equips you with tools, and strategies to mitigate AI’s climate impact, optimize AI products for sustainability, and implement responsible, energy-efficient AI technologies
$49/mo- access full catalogue
7-Day free trial. Cancel anytime.
Created by —
François Burra
Co-founder, Climate Product Leaders, 3X product lead
Pascal Joly
Product lead, AI and data solutions expert
Introductory level
Some knowledge of programming and data science recommended but not necessary
Flexible schedule
Learn according to your schedule with fully asynchronous learning
3 weeks / 4 hours per week
Expected commitment. We will help keep yourself accountable with timely check-ins
Certificate & Office-hours
Coming soonOptional add-on: Certificate and office-hour meetings with course creator and other learners
Course overview
AI is projected to account for 50% of the Internet’s energy consumption by 2050, an increase from less than 1% today. Large language models (LLMs) already drive significant energy use in data centers globally, with demand rapidly increasing. This course offers actionable strategies for product managers and seasoned professionals to develop and implement AI products sustainably.
We’ll begin by examining the climate impacts and risks associated with AI. From there, we’ll explore sustainable AI principles, including sufficiency and efficiency, and their real-world applications. You will also learn essential tools for measuring sustainability and the ROI of adopting sustainable AI practices.
Throughout the course, you’ll engage with metrics and methodologies to make informed, climate-forward decisions when adopting and implementing AI technologies. By the end, you’ll be equipped with the knowledge and network to drive sustainable AI initiatives within your organization.
$49/mo
7-Day free trial
Get this and more climate courses with a Terra.do membership.
Skills you will learn
AI measurement and reporting
Measure and optimize the climate impact of digital technologies
AI use case fit
Assess when AI is appropriate and when alternatives are more sustainable
AI product design
Design AI solutions with minimized environmental impact
AI cloud engineering
Implement best practices to reduce AI’s environmental footprint in the cloud
Who is this course for?
Digital builders
Gain expertise in embedding environmental sustainability into AI projects, from data collection to model deployment
Leaders, executives, and VPs
Lead with sustainability in mind, craft strategic initiatives, and implement policies that reduce AI’s environmental impact
Sustainability and ESG professionals
Understand AI's climate impact and identify effective strategies to reduce those impacts, ensuring alignment with broader sustainability goals and ESG frameworks
Course syllabus
Welcome and introduction to sustainable AI
Readings/viewing: The environmental impacts of AI, Emissions sources of digital products, Distribution of emissions in AI applications, Measuring emissions from AI
Sustainable AI principles
Readings/viewing: When to leverage AI (and when not to), Sufficiency vs. efficiency, Prioritizing and choosing the right AI, Measuring ROI of sustainable AI.
Sustainable AI principles
Readings/viewings: Energy efficiency in model training and inference, Sustainable infrastructure choices, cloud providers, and data centers, Engaging stakeholders on AI sustainability principles
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$49/mo
or $37/mo when paid annually
7-Day free trial. Cancel anytime. Access all courses.
What you get with Terra.do Membership
Growing library of climate courses
Access to our full catalogue of solutions-based courses taught by world's top climate experts
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Join our global community of 5k+ professionals from 80+ countries with 200+ expert mentors
Live events & workshops
Attend immersive events and practical workshops with top climate voices and peers
World's largest climate job board
Leverage the world's most comprehensive climate job board to forward your climate career
AI-assisted learningComing soon
Cutting-edge learning experience enhanced with AI for deeper learning.
Meet the course creators
François Burra
Co-founder, Climate Product Leaders, 3X product lead
François is a sustainable digital and low-carbon product consultant, mentor, and speaker with several successful turns as a Product Lead and UX Designer and 13 years of experience working with startups and agencies in Canada and the US. He helps digital companies reduce their digital emissions by delivering training, measuring digital emissions, and creating low-carbon experiences. He has trained individuals and teams in a variety of organizations such as Huge, ServiceNow, Planes, fruggr, Accenture Song, Cossette, etc. He recently wrote the climate product playbook “How to Become a Climate-Conscious Product Manager”. François is also a Terra.do fellow, completing Climate Change: Learning for Action in 2022
Pascal Joly
Product lead, AI and data solutions expert
Pascal is an experienced product manager with 25 years of experience in IT services and digital product development for large companies. He is a sustainability consultant at IT Climate Ed and an experienced digital collage facilitator. He holds a Coursera certification in Machine Learning, is a graduate of the INRIA Environmental Impacts of Digital Technologies program, and is certified in GHG Scope 3 measuring.
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Try this course for free — Join Terra.do
Access this course and other top-rated climate courses with a free trial.
$49/mo
or $37/mo when paid annually
7-Day free trial
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