Thoughts on AI

By Isla Weimann

Artificial intelligence is everywhere. In classrooms, on social media, and even on clothes. There is no denying that everyone uses AI at some point in their daily lives, but whether it’s beneficial to use or not depends on who you ask.

      AI is very helpful in many ways. It can help you do homework, peer-review essays, design clothing and homes, and on top of that, it is available for free, 24/7. However, this doesn’t come without consequence.       

    AI is defeating Mother Nature. It uses a large amount of water to cool down its systems. After the water is used, it can no longer be used again.  According to the Florida Water and Pollution Control Operators Association (FWPCOA), data centers in the U.S. have been estimated to use a combined 449 million gallons of water per day. Because data center chemicals leak into tributaries and oceans, AI has also contributed significantly to water pollution.        

   With exponentially growing reliance on AI, it seems children are losing the ability to think critically. AI can answer any question, no matter how simple or complex, which makes it easier for young people to not use their brains. Students are not the only ones guilty of AI use in the classroom; teachers have begun to use it for many of their menial tasks as well. Educators don't even have to make lesson plans or tests for their students because they can have AI generate them in the blink of an eye.

          There are many jobs that AI can do just as well as a human, and more efficiently. For example, an author may write an outstanding piece of literature over the course of a few weeks that AI could have written in a matter of minutes. This could threaten job security for human authors and journalists. Some jobs, however, Some jobs, however, AI cannot replace. Teachers and social workers require the emotional grasp of a human to interact and have a passion for what they do. AI doesn't have the ability to connect with others the way a human can. 

         All in all, AI can do great things, simplify hard tasks, and even replace jobs. But the toll it takes on both people and the planet outweighs the benefits. For the sake of our planet and human advancement, we should make an effort to reduce our use of AI.