Prompt Responsibly
Why Prompting Responsibly Matters
AI use has an environmental impact and presents society with a variety of ethical challenges. Though many generative AI (genAI) tools are free to use, each prompt comes at a cost in the form of the energy required to produce a result. For example, research shows that using an AI model to summarize an article is the energy equivalent of charging your smartphone to 16 percent, while generating an image equates to a full charge. Additionally, ChatGPT servers, which are located in data centers, require water for cooling. A 100-word email generated by an AI chatbot using ChatGPT-4 requires an estimated 529 millimeters of water or a little more than a bottle, according to research.
Responsible prompting is in line with Duke’s values around sustainability and its climate commitment, and it helps address the broader societal impacts of AI through practices promoting its ethical, accurate, and inclusive use. Keep the following principles in mind before you click “submit” on your next prompt:
1. Do Your Research
Ensuring the responsible use of genAI tools requires that you understand what is and is not possible with each tool you use, and that you independently verify the accuracy of prompts’ outputs using trusted sources.
2. Consider the Environmental Impact
Remember that genAI systems consume significant energy. Create efficient prompts that get what you need without overburdening the environment through careless overuse.
3. Aim for Fair and Balanced Content
GenAI technologies often reflect inherent biases, which risks marginalizing diverse cultural expressions. Actively seek to incorporate and validate diverse perspectives to counterbalance these limitations and promote fairness in AI-generated outcomes.
4. Respect Privacy and Safety
Avoid prompts that could reveal personal or sensitive information, whether yours or someone else’s. Always prioritize security and use genAI in ways that protect people’s data and well-being.
5. Practice Integrity
In many contexts there are restrictions on genAI use. Whether you are using genAI for work or to learn, make sure that genAI use is allowed and that you properly acknowledge how you used it. Do not present work developed by genAI as your own. Being transparent about your use of genAI is key to building a culture of honesty and authenticity.
While we as individuals cannot control everything about genAI, we can control how we use it. By prompting responsibly, we can work to minimize any negative impacts it has on the environment and society. Let’s use these powerful tools with care and intention in order to help shape a more ethical and sustainable future for genAI.
