AI and Blockchain Revolutionize Education, but Sustainability Concerns Loom

Artificial intelligence and blockchain are transforming traditional educational systems by providing new infrastructure for alternative educational models and expanding access to education globally. These technologies are enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of educational processes and addressing long-standing challenges in the sector.

AI can personalize learning experiences by adapting to individual student needs, providing real-time feedback, and identifying areas where additional support is required. This personalized approach can significantly improve student outcomes and engagement. Blockchain, on the other hand, ensures the security and transparency of educational records, making it easier to verify credentials and track academic progress. This dual application of AI and blockchain is creating a more dynamic and trustworthy educational ecosystem.

John von Seggern, an online educator and founder of the Futureproof Music School, an online school that teaches students electronic music production, currently uses an AI assistant to help structure and supplement courses for his students. The educator plans on rolling out blockchain-based credentials for those who complete the educational courses, providing verifiable proof that they have completed the programs and attained a sufficient understanding of the material.

“Significant momentum exists worldwide to use blockchain technology for issuing, sharing, and verifying educational experiences and qualifications,” according to a report from the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development. The authors wrote: “Blockchain technology enables anyone to validate claims about an individual or institution, including their characteristics and qualifications, and to do this instantly and with a very high level of certainty.”

“This helps eliminate records fraud; facilitates the movement of learners and workers between institutions and geographies; and empowers individuals by giving them increased control over their data,” the report continued. The combination of blockchain and AI is set to disrupt education, healthcare, and content creation, according to analysts.

Blockchain credentials, coupled with AI-powered content, provide borderless verifiability and more affordable classes for students. In January, Open Campus, a decentralized autonomous organization that uses blockchain for education applications, launched EDU Chain, its layer-3 blockchain. The EDU Chain will be used to store onchain student credentials and certificates that are tamper-proof, immutable, and verifiable.

Speaking at an event, Binance co-founder CZ said he wanted to teach 1 billion kids through Giggle Academy, a free online platform that provides children’s education. CZ added that generative AI played a central role in crafting the course content for his Giggle Academy project.

However, the adoption of these technologies is not without its challenges. The rapid advancement of AI has led to groundbreaking achievements, but it also poses significant environmental concerns. The energy demands of AI are reaching staggering levels, with data centers consuming vast amounts of electricity to support AI workloads. This increased energy consumption is putting pressure on national energy supplies and raising concerns about sustainability.

Beyond energy, AI's thirst for water is another growing concern. Data centers require vast amounts of water for cooling, often drawing from potable sources that could otherwise serve local populations. Some governments have already moved to limit the unchecked expansion of AI infrastructure.

The environmental impact of AI extends beyond electricity and water use. The demand for specialized hardware introduces further sustainability challenges. AI servers and processors require rare earth metals such as silicon, gallium, and tellurium, many of which are sourced from mining operations that disrupt ecosystems and deplete natural resources. The disposal of AI hardware presents yet another challenge, with rising levels of electronic waste linked to AI expansion.

Regulatory efforts and corporate sustainability initiatives are beginning to address these challenges. Governments and regulatory bodies are taking steps toward mitigating AI’s environmental impact. Tech companies are also making pledges to address AI’s sustainability challenges. However, concerns remain about whether the measures being taken are sufficient. Some investigations suggest that major tech companies may be underreporting the emissions of their data centers, raising questions about the transparency of corporate sustainability pledges. More comprehensive data and independent oversight will be necessary to ensure that AI’s environmental impact is accurately assessed and managed.

As AI adoption continues to accelerate, balancing its resource demands with sustainability will be one of the defining challenges of the coming decade. Without intervention, AI’s increasing electricity and water consumption could undermine energy security, intensify water shortages, and accelerate climate change. A coordinated global effort will be required to ensure AI’s future remains sustainable. Stronger regulatory frameworks, increased investment in green computing innovations, and greater corporate accountability will all be necessary to align AI’s expansion with environmental stewardship. The future of AI is at a crossroads, and the decisions made today will determine whether AI becomes a tool for sustainable progress or an unchecked driver of environmental degradation.