It is becoming increasingly common for students and teachers alike to implement artificial intelligence into their daily lives, but is the convenience of the technology worth the irreparable harm done to our mind and planet?
Overeliance on AI is already a problem in classrooms with 84% of students using generative AI to help with coursework according to College Board. This dulls critical thinking, as generating ideas and opinions is a crucial part of the human experience. When AI is used for even menial tasks, it becomes a habit, and soon it becomes difficult to do the task yourself without the use of technology. Additionally, when AI summarizes a passage or book, it diminishes reading and comprehension skills as students are not challenging themselves to tackle difficult material. Further, AI often pumps out misinformation, and has trouble distinguishing between fact and fiction, meaning users may be led to believe this misinformation as fact. There is a distinct line between convenience and compliance, and many have become complacent in letting technology think for them. It is through challenges we learn, and if AI continues to be the norm, future generations may never be able to achieve even what is considered commonplace today without a machine pumping their head full of ideas.
Beyond the cognitive damage caused by an overreliance on AI, there are significant impacts on the planet. AI power centers require large amounts of energy, and it is estimated that one ChatGpt search consumes about five times more energy than a regular web search according to MIT news. This has created a massive carbon footprint, a main contributor to damage to our planet. Furthermore, the e-waste created by the technology contains hazardous chemicals that can contaminate soil, water, and endanger both human health and the environment. By 2050 the World Economic Forum predicts that the amount of e-waste generated will surpass 120 million metric tonnes. These power centers also require large amounts of water to cool their systems, further depleting natural resources.
It is important to think twice about using generative AI, and if the short term benefits will ultimately outweigh the long term consequences. Consider other ways to generate ideas, like browsing the thousands of research papers, book excerpts, articles, quotes, and academic pieces that technology has also made readily available, rather than defaulting to AI. The human mind is a beautiful thing, but it can easily be corrupted if we become complacent in letting technology make its home in our brains.
