Is artificial intelligence revolutionizing climate change education? An exploratory study of climate change ChatGPT output

Abstract

Educators and students are increasingly using a subset of artificial intelligence (AI) large language models (LLMs) like ChatGPT to learn about climate change. Others speculate that learning will be revolutionized forever with the mainstreaming of AI-based sites like ChatGPT. Less is known about the quality of AI prompt responses about climate change. This study examines 100 ChatGPT climate change prompts to examine what exploratory themes emerge from climate response queries. The results show the presence of the following themes within ChatGPT responses: passive learning, lack of transparency, desensitization and low environmental concern language. Climate educators, students, and parents who are curious about ChatGPT's functionality and the accuracy of its responses on climate change may find the results useful.