The Environmental Impact of AI and Grassroots Resistance in Chile
Date: Wednesday 10 September 2025
Time: 16:30 – 19:00
Location: Reed Hall, Streatham Drive, Exeter, EX4 4QR
Curious about how artificial intelligence is shaping our planet? From the energy powering hyperscale data centers to the extraction of minerals like lithium, AI’s environmental footprint is growing - and so is public concern.
Join us for an evening of thought-provoking conversation, connection, and community as we explore the environmental and social impacts of AI, both globally and through a powerful case study in Chile.
We’re thrilled to welcome Dr. Sebastián Lehuedé, who will deliver a public lecture based on his research into grassroots resistance against the environmental consequences of AI technologies in Chile. You’ll hear about communities pushing back against water-intensive data centers and lithium extraction and what that means for the future of ethical, sustainable AI.
Whether you're new to the topic or already working in the field, this event offers space to listen, learn, and connect.
Event Schedule:
- Networking Reception (16:30–17:30)
Enjoy non-alcoholic drinks and canapés, meet others, and share ideas in a relaxed setting.
- Public Keynote & Q&A Discussion (17:30–19:00) - Dr. Sebastián Lehuedé “The Environmental Impact of AI and Grassroots Resistance in Chile”
Dr. Lehuedé will explore the environmental and social costs of AI through his fieldwork in Chile, where communities are resisting water-intensive data centers and lithium extraction in Indigenous territories. Drawing on interviews and protest materials, he introduces the concept of elemental ethics—an approach to AI that foregrounds local relationships with nature and challenges dominant, top-down ideas of sustainability. The talk will be followed by an interactive Q&A session.
Whether you're an expert, an early-career researcher, or simply curious about how we can create a more environmentally responsible AI future, this is a space to reflect, connect, and engage.
