K6ET 2145 - Environmental crisis and digitalization

First, this course aims to provide an understanding of the basic functioning of digital infrastructures and their place in the urban environment. This learning is facilitated by field visits and interactive teaching materials, among other things. The aim is to provide a solid foundation of what is needed to manufacture, deploy, use and dispose of digital systems. Second, we are going to look at how we assess environmental impacts of the digital sector at multiple scales (digital solutions in cities, country, EU, world) from material flows (mining, refining, etc.) to ecological impacts (CO2e, water, energy, toxicity, etc.). In this regard, we will focus on Taiwan and the advanced semiconductor industry. Third, this course will look into the claim that digitalization accelerates the ecological transition. Students will learn why we believed or believe in this relationship and will also learn how to assess the indirect effects (positive and negative) of digital solutions in an urban context. This class will ultimately enable students to better understand what can be expected from digitalization (including AI), such as accelerating or slowing down the ecological transition.

There are no specific prerequisites for the course. A curiosity for the materiality of technological systems, environmental sciences, and digital infrastructure urbanism is recommended. This course is multidisciplinary, so students should be comfortable approaching topics from different angles at the same time.

12 x 2 hours sessions.

4 ECTS.

This course will be evaluated on a collective project (60%) and on an individual essay (30%). Based on the knowledge provided during the course, students will have to evaluate the environmental impact of a given digital technology in a limited area (collective project). Furthermore, an individual essay will be required based on a theme given of the end of the class. Finally, participation and commitment will count for 10% of the final grade

≤ to 3 hours ; Throughout the course, some preparation and research activities will be required, for 45 minutes per week