How an AI App Is Making Sustainable Living Simple and Personal

MyEcoPal: An AI App Helping You Live More Sustainably

Adopting eco-friendly habits can be challenging, even when you want to make a difference. Assistant Professor Sharon Hsiao encountered this struggle firsthand, leading her to develop MyEcoPal, a mobile application that uses AI to make sustainable living easier and more accessible.

MyEcoPal analyzes your energy consumption patterns and offers personalized suggestions, such as switching to LED bulbs or air drying laundry, tailored to your routine. By focusing on actionable small steps, the app bridges the gap between knowing what’s sustainable and actually doing it.

From Research to Real-World Application

Hsiao’s work centers on using digital tools to help people learn and apply information effectively. Over several behavioral studies, she explored how AI can personalize sustainability education, specifically in waste management. These insights shaped MyEcoPal’s approach.

While aware of concerns about AI’s resource use, Hsiao believes that, when used thoughtfully, AI can guide everyday sustainable actions without adding unnecessary environmental costs.

She collaborated with doctoral student Qiming Sun to develop the app, combining computer science expertise with behavioral research to create a user-friendly experience.

How MyEcoPal Works

Currently being refined for a full launch this fall, MyEcoPal helps users take three main steps:

• Measure your impact: Answer interactive questions that calculate your carbon footprint and break down habits into categories.
• Discover smarter choices: Use the AI assistant to get suggestions customized to your daily life, with filters to refine recommendations.
• Make a plan and set goals: Track your progress, build sustainable habits, and earn rewards for greener choices.

The app also uses context-aware technology to align advice with local regulations. For example, waste disposal rules vary between cities and states. Hsiao’s own experience traveling from California to Atlanta highlighted the confusion users face when local waste systems differ.

“People struggle to keep up with different sustainability rules everywhere they go. Our app aims to provide clear, location-specific guidance so decisions are easier and more informed,” says Hsiao.

Evidence-Based Improvements

MyEcoPal’s latest features are informed by a research study presented at the 25th IEEE International Conference on Advanced Learning Technologies. In the study, students interacted with AI-generated hints to improve their knowledge of reducing, reusing, and recycling household items.

The findings showed that collaborating with AI helped users adopt better eco-friendly habits. This feedback was directly used to enhance the app’s suggestion engine, ensuring it supports learning as well as action.

Hsiao emphasizes the importance of combining AI assistance with human judgment. “AI is a tool to enhance decisions, not replace critical thinking. Users should engage actively with the suggestions rather than accepting them blindly.”

Looking Ahead

Future updates will focus on making complex energy data more understandable and engaging. Hsiao is working with colleagues to integrate visual tools and Santa Clara University’s sustainability playbooks, which provide a list of eco-friendly actions and a reward system to motivate users.

With MyEcoPal, the goal is straightforward: help people adopt sustainable habits that fit their lives and locations. This practical approach aims to make eco-conscious living less of a challenge and more of a daily routine.

For those interested in how AI can support sustainable behavior and learning, exploring courses on AI applications and personalized learning could offer valuable insights. Resources like Complete AI Training provide up-to-date information on AI technologies and their real-world uses.