Environmental education and Artificial Intelligence: 79 21

Analysis of social perception in the Puebla-Tlaxcala Metropolitan Area, Mexico, challenges and short-term proposals

Abstract

The Puebla-Tlaxcala Metropolitan Zone in Mexico ranks fourth in national importance; environmental problems there have intensified, and both environmental education and Artificial Intelligence (AI) play a pivotal role. The primary objective is to analyze how young people in this area perceive environmental education and the use of these technologies, with the aim of generating proposed solutions and improving quality of life. This analytical-deductive study combines a review of literature and periodicals with fieldwork—specifically, the administration of a 208-respondent survey comprising seven key items. Topics addressed include young people's use of generative AI tools, their perceptions regarding whether these technologies enhance their competitiveness in the labor market, and the relationship between climate change and the use of AI technologies. Results indicate that university enrollment for the 2024–2025 academic year in ten strategic degree programs accounts for only 3.5% of the total, revealing a significant gap compared to traditional degree programs. Emphasis is placed on both environmental education and the use of AI. Naturally, the debate is ongoing; the Mexican federal government, with the support of universities, needs to promote new legislation to regulate the use of these technological tools while simultaneously fostering greater environmental awareness.