Digital technology is transforming our organizations at a rapid pace, but at what real cost? This training takes a clear-eyed look at the environmental, human, and societal impacts of digital technology, including generative AI.
In half a day, you will gain a clear view of the carbon and water footprint of your tools, the attention-capture mechanisms that shape your usage, and concrete benchmarks to begin a responsible digital transformation within your organization.
Drawing on recent data and accessible concepts (life cycle analysis, Jevons paradox, enshittification of services), the training guides you through four pillars of action:
• procurement,
• usage,
• design,
• technology.
Whether you are a manager, an ESG lead, or a digital transformation professional, you will leave with a refined understanding of the issues and benchmarks to guide your decisions toward sustainable and ethical digital practices.
Objectives
At the end of this training, you will be able to understand the systemic impacts of digital technology, identify the risks associated with your daily usage, and apply simple methods to transform your digital practices into drivers of sustainable performance.
Is it for you ?
This training is intended for individuals whose decisions or practices have a direct or indirect impact on their organization’s digital usage:
Middle managers and senior executives wishing to integrate digital sobriety into their strategy
IT managers and teams
Sustainability, ESG, or Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) leads
Digital or organizational transformation teams
Communications, human resources, or operations professionals eager to better understand digital issues in their sector
Anyone in a company or organization wishing to adopt more sustainable and ethical digital practices
Your benefits
Content
This training unfolds in three complementary phases: taking a factual look at what digital technology actually consumes, understanding how certain design logics influence our behaviors, and leaving with tangible action benchmarks tailored to your organization.
Measuring the real footprint of digital technology
Digital technology is not immaterial. This section establishes the factual foundations: what our equipment, usage, and infrastructure consume, and why digital growth does not automatically equate to environmental progress.
Content covered:
- Carbon and water footprint of digital technology
- Life cycle assessment (LCA) of IT equipment
- Rebound effect mechanisms and the Jevons paradox
- Specific impact of generative AI: computing power, water, and energy consumption
- The VÉRIF method: a tool to develop critical thinking regarding digital information
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Decoding the effects of digital technology on individuals and society
Digital platforms and services are not designed neutrally. This section explores how certain design techniques leverage our cognitive biases to capture attention, and the repercussions on individuals, organizations, and public discourse.
Content covered:
- Captology (persuasive design) and associated cognitive biases
- Cognitive debt, epistemic debt, and talent loss in companies
- The phenomenon of "enshittification" in digital services
- Polarization risks and democratic issues linked to recommendation algorithms
- Ethical risks of sensitive usage: harassment, content moderation
Acting for sober, ethical, and sustainable digital technology
Transforming your digital practices does not require changing everything at once. This section presents four pillars of action (procurement, usage, design, and technology) to build a culture of sustainable digital sobriety within your organization.
Content covered:
- Sustainable purchasing criteria and equipment repairability indices
- Hardware renewal policies: extending lifespan rather than replacing
- Best practices in software eco-design according to the RGESN (General Reference for Eco-design of Digital Services) and principles of application lightness
- Reasoned data and email management
- Approaches to "IT for Good" (digital technology with a positive impact)
💡 Useful information
Our training sessions are offered in Montreal or Quebec City, in person or in virtual format. Dates and locations are provided when you select your session below. If you have any questions regarding registration, schedules, the language of instruction, or cancellation policies, please consult our FAQ .
Trainers
Private or personalized training
Do you have several employees interested in the same training course? Whether in person at your offices or remotely in virtual mode, we offer private training courses tailored to your team's needs. Group rates are available. Contact us for more details or request a quote online.
Request a quote