Dear [recipient name],

My name is [your name], and I’m a resident of [your city], [your state]. Thank you for the important work you’ve done on [relevant work]. I’m writing because I think it’s important to formally acknowledge the unregulated impacts of generative AI.

We already have evidence that chatbots shift how we think. An MIT study showed that ChatGPT impacts your brain’s ability to write essays and think critically. 16-year-old Adam Raine committed suicide after developing psychological dependency on ChatGPT and having his suicidal thoughts validated by the tool. Long-term effects on mental health and development remain unknown. Despite this, AI’s commercial development and usage has accelerated at a pace that far exceeds ethical or scientific understanding.

On the environmental side, generative AI requires data centers that consume enormous amounts of water and energy, producing significant carbon emissions as well. Data centers impact public health; communities near these facilities bear the brunt of noise pollution and water shortages. As the demand for AI expands, these centers will multiply rapidly. In 2023, data centers consumed 4.4% of U.S. electricity, with projections to triple by 2028. OpenAI, Microsoft, and Google continue to obscure the energy and water consumption data behind their generative AI technology. This information must be made public if we’re going to measure and manage its impact on the environment.

Research is urgently needed to inform policy. I would like to ask you to formally acknowledge the risks of AI and to commission an independent review into its effects on mental health, public health, and the environment. We cannot allow business incentives to shape the future of humanity and the planet.

I appreciate your attention and ask that you please send me a response letting me know what you intend to do towards this issue.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,
[your name]