In-person therapy in White Plains, NY, and virtual sessions for women of color across NY, NJ, PA, SC, CT, and CA.
You’ve probably seen the viral AI prompts flooding your social media feed this week. I’ll admit, I got caught up in it too. But as I shared my AI-generated images in therapist groups, I noticed something troubling: the pushback from colleagues who knew something I didn’t.
That curiosity sent me down a research rabbit hole that changed how I view AI forever.
What Nobody’s Talking About
AI data centers are draining resources in Black and Brown communities across the country. In Tennessee, entire communities are running out of water and experiencing increased air pollution because these massive computing facilities require constant cooling to function. What’s even worse is that some AI companies are strategically placing these facilities in poor Black neighborhoods where they’re less likely to face organized resistance.
As mental health professionals and business owners, we have a responsibility to be informed consumers of the technology we use daily and be champions of social justice issues. Not having access to clean water and clean air is a huge problem that shouldn’t be a concern in a developed country with so many infrastructure options that are less harmful. So, now that you are an informed consumer, how do you continue to use AI ethically?
Tips for Ethical AI Use
Be Mindful of Your Digital Footprint
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Limit unnecessary AI queries and image generation
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Make your prompts specific so you need fewer queries for a task
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Use AI intentionally, not recreationally
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Ask yourself: “Do I actually need AI for this task?”
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Batch similar tasks to reduce overall AI usage
Choose Your Platforms Wisely
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Research the environmental impact of different AI tools
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Popular platforms like ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, and Perplexity have varying environmental footprints. Do your research.
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Support companies with transparent sustainability practices
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Avoid platforms with known harmful business practices
For Business Owners: Create an Ethical AI SOP
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Establish clear guidelines for when and how your team uses AI
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Include environmental considerations in your technology decisions
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Train staff on mindful AI consumption
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Regularly review and update your policies as technology evolves
Stay Informed
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Follow advocacy groups highlighting AI’s impact on marginalized communities
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Educate yourself on the environmental justice issues surrounding tech infrastructure
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Share what you learn with your professional community
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Use your platform to amplify these concerns
Moving Forward with Integrity
At Cheerful Heart Mental Health Counseling, integrity and protection of Black and Brown communities are non-negotiable values. We’ve implemented our own AI ethics protocol, and we’re committed to using technology in ways that align with our mission.
You don’t have to stop using AI altogether but you do need to be a mindful consumer. Small changes in how we interact with technology can collectively make a significant difference.
What steps will you take today to use AI more ethically in your practice?
Looking for support navigating the intersection of professional ethics and personal values? At Cheerful Heart, we not only help high-achieving women integrate their values into every aspect of their lives and work, but we also offer supervision and consultation. Learn more about our services.
Shakira K. O’Garro, LMHC-D, LPC, LPCC, NCC, is a Black Christian therapist specializing in medical trauma, chronic illness, and supporting Christians through a crisis of faith. Living with severe stage 4 endometriosis and adenomyosis taught her how deeply physical pain, medical dismissal, and suffering can impact your mental health and relationship with God. Her work centers Black Christian women who are exhausted from being gaslit by healthcare systems and told to just “pray harder” when their bodies are breaking down. Shakira (and her clinicians) offer therapy that honors your pain, validates your experience, and integrates your faith without spiritual bypassing.
