Saara exposes the hidden environmental cost of AI, from water-hungry data centres to resource-intensive hardware, and urges us to rethink how we build and use technology to protect our planet’s future. Saara Paudyal is a 17-year-old Year 12 student from Nepal with a strong passion for science, sustainability, and driving positive change. As Head of her school’s Eco Committee, she leads initiatives to raise environmental awareness and inspire action in her community. In her talk, she sheds light on the often-overlooked environmental footprint of artificial intelligence, revealing its impact on water resources, mineral extraction, and global ethics. Saara invites us to rethink how we use technology and envision a future where innovation and sustainability go hand in hand. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx