Tandem uses AI to reduce teacher workload and improve student outcomes — while being transparent about environmental impact and committed to efficiency.
Tandem does not train foundation AI models. We use efficient inference, structured prompts, and aggressive caching to minimise our environmental footprint while maximising educational value.
Real-time COâ‚‚ savings vs traditional paper worksheets
Understanding where AI's environmental impact really comes from
Our design choices actively reduce environmental impact
We query existing models — we don't train new ones. Training is where the vast majority of AI carbon cost lives.
Structured, curriculum-aligned outputs use fewer tokens than open-ended chat. Shorter tasks = lower energy per query.
Repeated outputs are cached. One LLM call can serve hundreds of students, dramatically reducing real-world carbon impact.
Our unlock system prevents wasteful inference. Students can't spam AI calls — intentional use only.
How different AI activities compare
| Activity | Estimated COâ‚‚ Emissions |
|---|---|
| Standard Google search | ~0.2g COâ‚‚e |
| AI search (Gemini) | ~0.03g COâ‚‚e |
| Typical GPT-4 query | ~0.1–0.3g CO₂e |
| Tandem structured query | ~0.05–0.15g CO₂e |
| Older LLM models | ~2.5–5g CO₂e |
Figures are estimates based on published research. Actual emissions vary by infrastructure, model version, and query complexity. Tandem's structured prompts typically use fewer tokens than open-ended chat.
AI is going to exist — the question is how it's used
Tandem sits firmly in the "socially useful AI" category. We replace repetition with reuse, reduce marking workload, and give every student access to structured support — without creating infinite demand.
Our approach to responsible AI
"AI-assisted workflows like Tandem's use efficient inference, not training — meaning each query emits only a fraction of a gram of CO₂ equivalent. Outputs are maximised through caching and reuse, making our per-student footprint closer to a few Google searches per lesson than streaming video."
We're happy to discuss our environmental practices with schools and decision-makers