AI on tour: experience energy!
The project developed a mobile, interactive demonstration station that allows the general public to experience the energy consumption of AI applications first-hand.
Factsheet
-
Schools involved
School of Health Professions
School of Engineering and Computer Science -
Institute(s)
Physiotherapy
Institute for Patient-centered Digital Health (PCDH) - Research unit(s) PCDH / AI for Health
- Strategic thematic field Thematic field "Humane Digital Transformation"
- Funding organisation BFH
- Duration 01.09.2025 - 28.02.2026
- Head of project Prof. Daniel Reichenpfader
-
Project staff
Gabriel Hess
Simone Karin Zingg
Brigitte Mischler
Theresa Himmelsbach
Eefie Luijckx
Situation
We connected an AI system, a bicycle ergometer and an application for calculating the energy consumption of AI queries. Participants entered their own prompts and then had to generate the energy required for the response through physical activity. To examine learning success and boost awareness, the didactic concept was accompanied by a pre- and post-survey.
Course of action
The project developed a mobile, interactive demonstration station that allows the general public to experience the energy consumption of AI applications first-hand. We connected an AI system, a bicycle ergometer and an application for calculating the energy consumption of AI queries. Participants entered their own prompts and then had to generate the energy required for the response through physical activity. To examine learning success and boost awareness, the didactic concept was accompanied by a pre- and post-survey.
Result
We developed a working prototype that displays the energy consumption of AI applications in real time and allows users to experience it through physical activity. The demonstration station was launched at two public events, enabling numerous participants to engage directly with the ecological footprint of digital technologies. The surveys showed a significant increase in participants’ understanding of the link between AI, energy consumption and sustainability, while prompting deeper self-reflection on their own digital behaviour.
Looking ahead
We will deploy the demonstration station and the didactic concept at future events and expand it to include new target groups, such as schools and public education institutions.
